Haiti Earthquake: Donation Information

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - DONATION INFORMATION:

AMERICAN RED CROSS -- The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to support relief efforts in Haiti.  Local Red Cross officials are asking the Hampton Roads community to make financial donations only, they are not accepting food, clothing or any other types of donation at this time.

If you're interested in helping, visit the Red Cross Website. Donations can be sent to the American Red Cross at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or be made by phone by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has established a family linking Web site, enabling persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake. www.icrc.org/familylinks .

If you’re trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti, you should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.

As of Friday afternoon, The American Red Cross has raised $37million so far for immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts in Haiti.

More than half of the donations have been through online contributions, with $9 million pledged through record-breaking mobile text giving and strong support as well from corporations.

• The Red Cross now has dozens of disaster specialists in Haiti, assessing the damage, addressing urgent needs and establishing the foundation for a long-term recovery operation.
• Two planes carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are due to land Friday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, if they are not re-routed. The first one carries a field hospital and the second carries tarps, blankets, hygiene items, buckets, shelter supplies and kitchen sets.
• The aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake has posed logistical challenges for all humanitarian organizations, including Red Cross responders, who are working around the clock to meet the challenges and ensure aid reaches the survivors.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES -- The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is coordinating relief efforts for the people of Haiti through Catholic Relief Services.

Donations to Catholic Relief Services can be made at the following Website: www.crs.org. Donations to CRS may be made by phone at 1-800-736-3467 from 8:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. EST.

Checks can be mailed to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203.

In addition, Catholic Churches are planning a second collection at Sunday Masses to benefit the victims of the Haiti quake.

WHITEHOUSE.GOV -- You may also visit the White House's Website for more on how you can help, locate family in the area, as well as find out how our government will respond to the disaster.

The President has been receiving updates on the urgent situation in Haiti late into last night and this morning, and top members of his team have been convening to formulate the government response.

TEXT YOUR DONATION -- You can also help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online here, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999." According to the Red Cross, $9 million has been pledged through record-breaking mobile text giving.

Families of Americans living in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE -- Physicians for Peace, a Norfolk-based international non-profit organization focusing on medical care and education in the developing world, has set up a special relief fund for the victims of yesterday's earthquake in Haiti. Donations can be made at their Website .

Physicians for Peace has been providing medical education and training in Haiti for several years, particularly in rehabilitation for trauma victims through its internationally recognized Walking Free program.

Through Physicians for Peace's partner network of Healing Hands for Haiti and St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children (and others), both in the capital city of Port au Prince, donations will go directly to provide immediate trauma relief as well as longer term assistance for amputees.

VIRGINIA CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION INC -- The Virginia Caribbean American Cultural Association Inc. has set up a relief fund for those affected by earthquake. Donate at any Bank of America branch in the name of: VCACA, Inc., "Haiti Disaster Relief Fund"

FOOD AND CLOTHING DONATIONS:

GATEWAY FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH, Va. Beach

GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH,  Va. Beach

ST. MARKS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Portsmouth, Va.

Many other local churches are collecting goods for earthquake victims in Haiti. Check with your local churches to see what they're doing to help relief efforts.

Stay with WAVY.com and WAVY News 10 for more donation information as it becomes available.

BBB WARNING -- As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a charity. The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance warns that-as occurred following the tsunami in 2004 and Katrina in 2005-fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans.

The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity  to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.