March 19, 2010, Newsletter Issue #9: Text Your Aid

Tip of the Week

Since the devastation in Haiti occurred, reported to be the second most devastating quake in recorded history, social media networks have been flooded with support and concern for Haiti. Searching Twitter for the hashtag (the method for creating topical conversations on Twitter) Haiti, will get you thousands of real-time results. In less than a minute after searching, over 2,000 more tweets were sent out with #Haiti. One of the many subjects of these tweets was the call to donate to various charities via text message. Cell phone users can donate through a system the Mobile Giving Foundation set up, allowing charities to collect money by text messages. One hundred percent of all donations are forwarded to the charities.

Donate $5 by texting the word “Haiti” to 45678. (This includes The Salvation Army, Children’s Wish Foundation, and Princess Margaret Hospital.)

Donate $10 by texting the word “Haiti” to 90999. (Only works in the United States. Be aware that a $10 charge will be applied to your cell phone bill as your donation. Proceeds go to the Red Cross. Nearly $3M has been donated through this method.)

Donate $5 to Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund by texting “YELE” to 501501.

Donate $5 to the IRC (International Rescue Committee) by texting $5 to 25383.

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