Two citizen philanthropists for The Salvation Army’s Haiti relief efforts were featured on NBC Nightly News last night: 9-year-old Connor Howard of Allen, TX, who we recently featured in our blog, and a hair salon owner in Jackson, MS. These individuals may not have the means to fly to Haiti in their own private plane loaded with supplies like John Travolta, but their creative efforts and contributions are just as meaningful and, in my opinion, even more inspiring.

We may tend to succumb to the mindset that we can only make a difference if we’re wealthy and powerful, but somehow I doubt Connor’s allowance is anything to envy. The little boy’s determined spirit, though, seems to be overly abundant. Armed with a coffee can and a homemade construction paper sign, he’s raised several hundred dollars for Haiti just by seeking out opportunities to ask for support from friends, family, and anyone he meets along the way.

And who knew a hair stylist could be integral in Haiti relief? Well, instead of thinking, “Why?” we should be thinking “Why not?” That’s exactly what a salon in Jackson, MS decided and opened up shop on a day they were regularly closed. Proceeds from that day’s “Haircuts for Haiti” were donated to The Salvation Army Haiti relief efforts. Sport a hot new hairstyle and help Haiti? Sign me up.

If you would like to donate to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts, you can contribute by:

• Visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
• Calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Texting the word HAITI to 52000 and confirming with the word, “yes.”
• Sending a check or money order to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

Even before donations are processed, The Salvation Army is committing and spending money on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations are critical now and also help ensure that the long-term needs of the Haitian people are met.

Salvation Army team members continue to attend UN ‘Cluster Meetings’ in order to coordinate our relief activities with other major organizations and ensure the most efficient use of resources and allocation of precious relief materials and services.

The Salvation Army’s Carribean territory reports being encouraged to see that opportunities for shipping and receiving aid supplies are beginning to increase. The main dockyard area of Port au Prince which had been rendered unusable by the earthquake is now being repaired and is becoming accessible to supply boats. However, due to many airport restrictions still faced by incoming and outgoing flights, many supplies are being shipped by air via Santo Domingo and delivered by road to Port au Prince.

More than 80,000 pounds of food, water and other emergency supplies were delivered to The Salvation Army compound with the help of UPS. Our team continues to provide food and supplies to needy individuals and families, having distributed more than 24,000 meal kits with rations sufficient to supply a family for five days.

Also, registration has begun of the estimated 10,000 people who have taken shelter in makeshift tents in a soccer field adjacent to the Army’s compound in Port-au-Prince. This registration is important as UN deliveries of food rations will eventually be tied to numbers of registered people in any given district.

Providing medical aid continues to be a priority as well, with more than 1,200 people being treated by Salvation Army doctors, nurses, paramedics and other specialists trained in medical care.

And in a small sign that life will return to normal, The Salvation Army has re-opened a school for children ages 3 to 6.

Classes are being held at a temporary site at the main compound since the original rooms are too damaged for use. The continuation of classes and return to a set schedule will assist young students in handling the trauma they are experiencing in light of the earthquake and its aftermath.

Even with these positive developments that have been reported from the field, relief and rebuilding of Haiti is only at its most early stages. Monetary donations and prayer are still the two most critical needs as supplies and personnel are mobilized.

If you would like to donate to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts, you can contribute by:

• Visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
• Calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Texting the word HAITI to 52000 and confirming with the word, “yes.”
• Sending a check or money order to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

Even before donations are processed, The Salvation Army is committing and spending money on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations are critical now and also help ensure that the long-term needs of the Haitian people are met.

Tens of thousands of children have suffered from the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince.

On Monday, January 25, in a small sign that life will return to normal, more than a week after Haiti’s earthquake, The Salvation Army will re-open a school in a temporary site at the organization’s compound in Port au Prince. Two of the school’s main buildings were destroyed in the earthquake and the people are too terrified to enter those buildings that are still standing. Still, Salvation Army relief workers will provide children aged three to six years old with security, nutrition and medical assistance as needed, in a make-shift school day.

Prior to the earthquake, 1,500 children attended The Salvation Army school, sponsored by Kindernothilfe (KNH), each day. The Salvation Army will offer day-to-day schooling and support for hundreds of children aged three to six years old in the coming weeks.

If you would like to help Salvation Army relief workers like Violet and earthquake victims in Port-au-Prince, financial donations are our most crucial need. You can donate through :

• Online Credit Card Contributions or PayPal
• Text ‘HAITI’ to 52000
• Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Mail a check or money order to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*