Oswego, NY – Relief organizations and churches all over central New York are continuing to provide opportunities for people who want to donate to the relief effort in Haiti. Bishop Robert Cunningham of the Syracuse Catholic Diocese is asking churches to take up a second offering during mass this weekend and/or next that will go straight to catholic relief services.
"What we do locally as a diocese is collect the money then send it to Catholic Relief Services, they they as an organization have the coordinating ability to assist those who need it right there in Haiti," said Danielle Cummings, Director of Communications for the Syracuse Catholic Diocese.
Susan Marteney, executive director of the Cayuga County Red Cross says her office has been getting calls from people who want to help and she says money, rather than material items, is the best way someone can help with the relief in Haiti.
"It makes sure that people's primary needs right now are met. While we may think that people may need clothing, right now they need food and shelter. We can purchase those items and get those to them quicker through financial donations," said Marteney.
Individual donations to the Syracuse Catholic Diocese can be made to Haiti Relief- Diocese of Syracuse and mailed to Diocese of Syracuse, 240 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse New York 13202, marked Haiti Relief. These funds will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church.
Here are a few other relief organiztions:
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
To make a donation, Click Here
To donate by text: "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
UNICEF
To make a donation, Click Here. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.
Yele Haiti
To make a donation, Click Here
You can also text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.
Operation USA
Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements, which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.
To make a donation, Click Here. To donate by phone call 1-800-678-7255
Send a check to:
Operation USA
3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A
Culver City, CA 90232
Stillerstrong
Ben Stiller's Stillerstrong campaign will temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.
To make a donation, Click Here
Partners In Health
To make a donation, Click Here
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors.
To make a donation, Click Here. To donate by phone call 1-888-256-1900
Send a check to:
Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is committing up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Their partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children's Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital, which are particularly active in emergency response.
To make a donation, Click Here
Oxfam
To make a donation, Click Here
International Medical Corps
To make a donation, Click Here
The Attorney General's Office is asking New Yorkers to be aware of scams when donating to the relief effort.
Click Here to learn more.