“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James.
I was going to write about bread today but I’ve been having trouble concentrating on the subject. Bread is, as they say, the staff of life. I can’t find the exact origins of the phrase but it sounds biblical to me. As I watch a disaster of biblical proportions unfold in Haiti, it’s hard to focus on anything but the suffering taking place on an island a few hundred miles across the ocean. Life’s most basic necessities – water, food, a roof over one’s head, basic security – too many people in Haiti (and elsewhere) have none of those now.
So no recipes today. My heart’s not in it. And no promises to donate ten cents for every click or every new Facebook or Twitter friend I sign up. This isn’t about me. It’s about the children, the families, the people – our fellow human beings - who need our help now.
If you haven’t done so yet (and a great many already have), please consider a donation to help our Caribbean neighbors. I’ve included links below to a few groups that accept online donations but there are many worthy organizations out there doing their best to provide aid where it’s needed. If you’re located in the States, check with the American Red Cross website here to see if the company you work for has a matching gift program that could double your donation.
And, though I said in my last post that I don’t make resolutions, I’m making one now. I hereby resolve to provide regular support at least one of these groups and not wait until the next massive disaster grabs me by the throat and shakes my world.
As Anne Frank reminded us: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Meant to mention Oxfam, also doing good work – http://www.oxfam.org/.
You’ve mentioned several of my favorites; this week I’m doing Doctors Without Borders. Thanks for the reminder, Abigail… let’s hope the help gets through quickly!
My sister pointed out that I’d missed out Partners in Health, a wonderful group that provides medical services in Haiti. Added a badge to click through and donate. If you haven’t read it, the book Mountains Beyond Mountains about the founder Paul Farmer is an amazing book.
We also chose to donate to Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. Wish we could do more.
LOVE your website! Keep up the good work!
Thank you Miss Mermaid!