Help Haiti

Haitian Earthquake

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitians, their friends and families, as they begin the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake of January 12. We have received numerous calls asking how Girl Scouts can help.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, GSUSA's National Board suspended the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations. GSUSA is working with the Executive Committee to determine if this policy should be suspended again. We will keep you informed of their decision. In the meantime, all Girl Scouts should work though local community groups to assist in relief efforts.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has issued a list of organizations that are accepting donations for relief efforts. The list is below. WAGGGS is also reminding all Girl Scouts that the theme of World Thinking Day this February 22 is “ending extreme poverty and hunger.” The tragic events in Haiti can clearly serve as a way to educate our girls about the issues of extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world.

It is at times like these that Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood and to take action to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and I know that all of us in Girl Scouting will do everything we can to help Haiti and its people in the weeks and months ahead.

How to Help

GSNEO Staff

The staff at Girl Scouts of North East Ohio is helping the earthquake victims by collecting funds to give to the Association Nationale Des Guides D’Haiti which is the Haitian member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.  If you would like to contribute to this effort, please contact Deborah Shropshire in Staff and Volunteer Support Services at dshropshire@gsneo.org.

GSNEO Members

If your troop/group is planning a service project in support of the relief efforts for the victims of Haiti, please send your information to marketing@gsneo.org so that we can capture the impact that Girl Scouts are making.

Below are list of ways Girl Scout troops/groups can help:

• The American Red Cross

  The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.

• Pan American Development Foundation

  The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its Web site at www.PanAmericanRelief.org

• UNICEF

  UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

• Oxfam

  You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.

• Save The Children

  Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children.

• Mercy Corps

  Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:
  Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
  Dept NR
  PO Box 2669
  Portland, OR 97208

• Doctors Without Boarders

  Doctors Without Boarders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders.

• The UN World Food Programme

  The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

• CARE

  CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE.

• The International Rescue Committee

  The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.

• World Vision

  World Vision has more than 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.

• United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

  This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.