Horned Frogs reach out to Haiti

Fort Worth, TX

1/15/2010

On Tuesday, an 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near its capital, Port au Prince. Reports continue to come forth shedding distressing light on the massive destruction and human suffering caused and the countless that are going without shelter, medical care, water and food. Currently, the American Red Cross estimates that as many as three million people may be affected.

The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life has compiled a handful of resources and ways to help. It also encourages the campus to keep those who have been affected by this catastrophe and those who are assisting them in thoughts and prayers.

A Few Simple Ways to Help:
Give (and Learn) – Numerous relief organizations are on the ground providing assistance, including those listed below. We encourage members of the TCU campus community to give generously to relief organizations – now and down the road as long-term restructuring and aid efforts will continue long after the cameras are gone. Each of the organizations below also provides helpful information about the situation on the ground.

Mobile Donations - Donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The mobile giving effort raised more than $3 million by Thursday morning.

Make a CWS Kit - For those seeking additional ways beyond donations, Church World Service, a key relief partner of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is providing hygiene, infant and medical kits. These kits are assembled by volunteers and shipped to people in need. For individuals or groups wanting to assemble kits, visit the link listed. Kits can be dropped off at the Religious & Spiritual Life Office in the first floor of Jarvis Hall. http://www.churchworldservice.org/kits_main

Stay Aware and Involved – Various departments and student groups will be coordinating their own efforts in the months ahead. Post what you’re doing at the Facebook group “Horned Frogs Reaching Out to Haiti” or email faith@tcu.edu to receive occasional updates and let us know what you’re doing.

Volunteer Locally - by getting involved with our local Chisholm Trail American Red Cross chapter, you join others who provide assistance during various disasters and relief efforts. This can include providing safety and health services, transportation, education, disaster services and much more. Click here to volunteer http://chisholmtrail.redcross.org or email faith@tcu.edu if you’re interested in Red Cross volunteering and training with others at TCU.

A List of Selected Agencies Providing Assistance: (Visit the sites of the organizations below to give online)

* The American Red Cross International Response Fund
http://www.redcross.org

* Partners In Health Haiti Earthquake Fund
http://www.pih.org

* Disciples of Christ Week of Compassion Fund
http://weekofcompassion.org

* UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Fund
http://www.unicefusa.org

* International Medical Corps, Earthquake in Haiti Fund
http://www.imcworldwide.org

* Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
http://www.mercycorps.org

* Doctors Without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

* Oxfam Haiti Earthquake Response Fund
http://www.oxfamamerica.org

* Catholic Relief Services
http://www.crs.org

* American Jewish World Service Earthquake Relief Fund
http://www.ajws.org

* CARE
http://www.care.org

* International Rescue Committee IRC Haiti Crisis Fund
http://www.theirc.org

If you have questions about any of these efforts, contact faith@tcu.edu.