Help for the Neediest Among Us

Every day, the generosity of the American people is called upon; requests for donations to various causes -- philanthropical, political, religious -- come into our mailbox on a regular basis. Every day we are called upon to decide how generous we can be, to help the neediest among us. We could never have imagined, however, how great that need would become until the inconceivable tragedy that has engulfed south Asia occurred in the form of an earthquake and tsunami on December 26. The death toll is now estimated to be well over 150,000. The dead cannot be buried fast enough, leaving the survivors open to diseases such as cholera. Food, medicine, clothing and shelter must be supplied for the survivors who walk the streets dazed and confused about what has happened to them and their families.

Can there be any question that, at this very moment, the victims of the tsunamis that have devastated south Asia are the neediest among us?

Many of us feel compelled to help but, perhaps, don’t know where to start. All the news stories covering the relief effort indicate the same thing – cash donations are the most needed form of contribution. The money will be used to purchase the food, medicine and clothing required as determined by the volunteers on the ground who see first hand what the needs are.

It is still wise, however, to use caution when donating to any charity, particularly in a time of crisis when swindlers and cheats will use the opportunity for personal ill-gotten gain.

Susan Wornick, consumer reporter at Channel Five, provides some sound advice for giving during this worldwide relief effort:
-- Give cash only to established organizations such as the Red Cross.
-- Beware of organizations you’ve never heard of, particularly those soliciting
donations by telephone.
-- Never give credit card or checking account information over the telephone –
legitimate relief agencies do not conduct business in this manner
-- Never allow a telephone solicitor to “stop by and pick up a check.”

There are also a number of helpful articles related to the tsunami disaster at www.thebostonchannel.com. We found a useful link at this site for www.charitywatch.org, the website of the American Institute of Philanthropy, a national charity watchdog service formed to help donors make informed giving decisions. In a special section dedicated to the tsunami tragedy, the site provides their listing and ranking of the top ten agencies currently conducting tsunami relief programs.

In addition, the Everett Cooperative Bank, according to a press release published in the Everett Leader Herald this week, is now accepting donations for the Tsunami Relief Fund. The bank has chosen Save the Children for receipt of any donations received, because all funds will be designated by Save the Children for the Asian Emergency Response. According to Save the Children, more than one third of those lost in the tsunami were children, and many more children were left orphaned when their parents were lost in the disaster. According to the press release, the fund will provide medical care for disaster victims as well as support programs to address the long term impact of the catastrophe on children. You can stop by the bank and make your donation, or mail your check to The Everett Cooperative Bank, 419 Broadway. All checks should be made payable to Save the Children and will be forwarded directly to them. Save the Children is also included in the top ten charities list provided at charitywatch.org.

Certain factions in the world with their own political agendas to promote may call into question the generosity of the American people, but we know that we have always been, and will always be, at the forefront to lend a hand when disaster strikes . . . and we know that this time of crisis for our neighbors half a world away will be no different. May God bless them and keep them in His care.