Haiti and K-Pop

No doubt you have all by now heard of the devastating earthquakes that hit Haiti, destroying an already impoverished nation. The numbers of people who lost their lives has reached 200,000, and many bodies are still lying in the streets or under heavy piles of concrete, trapped.

To get the full effect of just how devastating this disaster is, please take a few moments to click here (open in a new window). Pictures speak more than I could possibly begin to describe.

Being K-Pop fans, we sort of pride ourselves on coming together and supporting different fandoms and artists. We've made our favorite idols trend countless times, being successful each time. And while all of that is quite an accomplishment, I think we can do better.

I am asking you all to help donate in any way you can. Unfortunately, because the damage is so great, it's hard for supplies sent from around the world to reach those who truly need it. A lot of organizations like the American Red Cross, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army are not accepting clothing at this point in time as it is extremely difficult for clothing articles to be distributed right now. I plan on regularly checking in with those organizations to see when they will begin accepting, because I have mass amounts of clothes that I no longer wear. If you'd rather wait to donate that, then that's completely up to you. As long as you donate!

I know money is a hard thing to donate for some of you. Goodwill has created an amazing list of organizations and relief efforts all in need of monetary support for Haiti. I have already donated by texting "Yele" to 501501 ($5), "Haiti" to 90999 ($10, American Red Cross), and "HAITI" to 864833 ($5, United Way Worldwide). Those charges will be added to your phone bill, so if you cannot donate by form of an online payment, then that option is available to you. If you cannot do either and you still want to donate any amount, each organization does have the option of "snail mail."

Other organizations I have donated to have been the Catholic Relief Services, Compassion International, and UNICEF. You can send small amounts to multiple, or one amount to one organization. All that matters is that you donate in any way possible and you're doing your part in helping people who truly need it. Like I mentioned earlier, if you'd rather donate things like clothing or old books or toys or blankets, check in regularly to these charities and see when the appropriate time to donate it to Haiti will be.

Thank you all.

TKPA