Hollywood Rallies to Help Haiti Earthquake Victims
By Mali Elfman
Immediately the music front dove in to help the estimated 3 million people who are in need in Haiti and Hollywood soon followed in the action. Wyclef Jean, who is known for being part of the Fugees, is also a native of Haiti himself and was one of the first musicians to tweet about his concern for the country’s state of disaster and help set up the Haiti Earthquake Fund for people to easily give $5 to (details below). It’s no big surprise that humanitarian couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt joined Wyclef and others in their efforts to raise money, the couple gave $1 million dollars towards Doctors Without Border.
Pitt said in a recent statement:
“We understand the first response is critical to serve the immediate needs of countless people who are now displaced from their homes, are suffering trauma, and most require urgent care.”
Ben Stiller, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Urie, Chaske Spencer and Lindsay Lohan are also among the list of celebrities and artists who have used twitter to urge support for victims. Stiller encouraged people to get up and help by tweeting:
“people in Haiti need our help and attention right now”
Michael Urie, star of “Ugly Betty” gave details for how to help the Red Cross:
“FYI…You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in #haiti.”
As for Wyclef’s, easy to give plan, you can text “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill) or you can visit www.yele.org and click ‘donate’. New Moon star Chaske Spencer tweeted the information…
“you can help HAITI in the wake of the horrible earthquake..go to www.yele.org or contribute $5.00 by texting “yele” to 501501″
Remember, it’s nice that some people can give a million dollars, but it’s the millions of people who can give $5 that make the difference. If you’re looking for the right place for you to donate to, there are many different groups that are out there trying to help the people in need. Text your donations or simply click on any of the following links below:
- Yele Haiti
- Oxfam America
- American Red Cross
- Direct Relief International
- Map International
- Operation USA
- International Rescue Committee
- Habitat For Humanity
- International Medical Corps
- Doctors Without Borders
- Partners In Health
Where will you choose to give to?
Friday, January 15, 2010 12:11PM
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