I cannot imagine how the people of Haiti and Chile feel. I have never been involved in a catastrophic natural disaster or had my way of life turned upside down by circumstances completely out of my control. I do know however, that I feel a deep and immense sense of sympathy and concern, as well as a responsibility to do what I can to help out my world neighbor.
Being that March is Red Cross Month I want to encourage you all to get involved with your local chapter, donate, give blood, whatever your inner spirit guides you to do. Or, are you already involved with a charity? How are you giving back to your local/world community? I would love to hear about it!
For Chili relief, you can text "Chili" to 90999, check redcross.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. You can also call 1-800-257-7575 to make donations in Spanish.
Here's some background info from the Red Cross on how Red Cross Month came about:
About Red Cross Month
Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month"
How did this tradition come about?
Since Clara Barton created the American Red Cross in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them. News of an event broke. The American Red Cross rushed to the scene with help. People around the country came forth with outpourings of volunteer assistance and donations of funds and supplies.
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month of March 1943 as“Red Cross Month.” The Red Cross set a goal of $125 million, the largest amount ever requested in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target. By June 1943, donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it "the greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history."
