Friday, January 15, 2010

Haiti Donations Through SMS Surpass $10 Million


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We have reported about a couple of big companies who have donated money and their services toward the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts. Just like big companies, individuals across the United States have been helping out the cause by donating money through text messages [SMS]. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today that the donations to Haiti have surpassed $10 million, and still counting.

Unfortunately, it was being reported yesterday that the money donated through SMS wouldn’t be available until after 90 days due to standard practices in the mobile industry. Luckily and thankfully, many companies have pledged to give the money right away. For instance, Verizon announced that it has already given the $2,987,560 collected so far to the American Red Cross.

Sprint, on the other hand, announced today at 9:00 AM that it would immediately give 80% of the funds collected. Sprint said it has collected $1.2 million so far. AT&T said it’s looking at ways to speed up the donations, while T-Mobile has not yet announced anything [ source ].

In case you still  want to make a donation via SMS, here are the campaings and their respective numbers you can use:

  • Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross

  • Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee

  • Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada

  • Text YELE to 501501 to donation $5 to Yele

  • Text RELIEF to 30644 to get automatically connected to Catholic Relief Services and donate money with your credit card

  • Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way

  • Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation

  • Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International


Erictric has also provided a link to Red Cross in case you want to donate online.

As someone who has experienced first-hand a 7.9 earthquake and its effects, I highly encourage anyone who hasn’t donated yet or anyone who wishes to donate again, to not think twice about it and donate if you can. It’s great to know that people come together at the hardest times and help others. It’s specially nice to know that modern technology is playing a great role on this. Let’s keep it up, people!

Source: Erictric

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