SHARE THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
For those of us fortunate enough to live in stable, relatively prosperous circumstances the holiday season is a wonderful time to share our happiness with our families and friends. It is also a time to share some of our good fortune with those who are struggling in ways we never want to experience. Below is a list in no particular order of really fine organizations who are struggling mightily to help rebuild Haiti and aid its beleaguered people. Some are registered as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations with the US Government, so you can claim a donation as a tax deduction, others are not. But all will put your donation to good use.
lambifund.org
The Lambi Fund is a progressive non-profit organization benefiting community initiated projects in Haiti, particularly in the countryside. It maximizes its donations by working in coalition with existing Haitian organizations. You can donate on its website. It is a registered 501(c)(3) and will send you a receipt.
Athletique d'Haiti
Athletique d'Haiti is a non-profit after-school sports and tutoring program founded by CNN Hero Boby Duval that works with youth from the Cité Soleil and Bel Air neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. The program has doubled in size since the earthquake and has been forced to expand its mission to build housing and infrastructure. Donations to Athletique d'Haiti should be sent to Ridge Art, 1123 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304. Make your checks payable to Ridge Art but indicate "Athletique d'Haiti" on the check. We will make sure the money gets to Boby who will put it to good use. It is not a registered 501(c)(3) but we will graciously thank you.
enfants-bonheur.org
Enfants Bonheur is a French NGO that is supporting an orphanage, Kay Bonè Timoun, that sprang up after the earthquake to care for about 80 orphaned children. It is a very well-run operation thanks to the guidance of a remarkable woman called Mamie Georges, a retired school teacher. You can donate on the site but the site is in French. It is not a registered 501(c)(3). If you wish to donate but can't navigate the site, you can send your donation to us at Ridge Art, 1123 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304. As with Athletique d'Haiti, make your check payable to Ridge Art and indicate "orphanage" on the check and we will arrange to get your donation to them.
artforhaitianchildren.org
This is the website of Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC). It is a non-profit after-school arts organization founded over 10 years ago by a very determined American named Judy Hoffman. It provides meals, school tuition and arts training to very poor children in Jacmel, Haiti. It is run by Haitians and is becoming a model for art as an instructional tool for poor children. You can donate on the site and it is a 501(c)(3). Gallery owner Laurie Beasley is on the board of directors.
fondam-haiti.org
The Dallas Monnin Foundation was created in 2002 in honor of Dallas Monnin, the late daughter of Michel and Toni Monnin of Monnin Gallery in Pétionville, Haiti. The philosophy of FONDAM is to protect the environment through reforestation, to conserve the watershed areas and to conduct civic education classes for children in the Port Salut area of Haiti. Its slogan is "Save the mountains to save ourselves." Since the earthquake much of its income has been going to provide assistance to artists in need. You can donate on the site and it is registered as a 501(c)(3).
cineinstitute.com
The Ciné Institute is the only film and video school in Haiti. It is located in Jacmel. Its facilities were destroyed by the earthquake but it is rebuilding on a new campus. To quote its mission statement, "Using the power of cinema, integrated educational programming, technical training and media production support, Ciné Institute educates and empowers Haitian youth who seek the creative, technical and business skills necessary to grow local media industries that can provide jobs and spur economic growth needed to improve their lives and the lives of others." You can donate on the site but it is not a 501(c)(3).
