Everyone’s saying that the best way to help is to donate financially to organizations responding to a disaster. We don’t disagree but we’re standing by our promise not to ask you for money. There are other ways.

Teens for Jeans for Haiti?

Because of the earthquake in Haiti DoSomething.org and Aero have decided to send the first 200,000 jeans collected in their Teens for Jeans campaign down to Haiti. If you want to get in on the action, check out the Teens for Jeans Website

If you are looking to donate something else besides jeans, the most important step when donating materials is to contact an established, professional relief organization BEFORE you collect anything. Check Interaction.org for an organization in your area.

Collection drive please

Think you can help out by having a collection drive but don’t know what to collect. What’s needed most is:

• water,
• hygiene items (which can be made into kits containing soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth or hand towel, deodorant, comb, shampoo, tissues, hand sanitizers, and feminine hygiene products)
• blankets
• first aid kits

Again, you’ll want to contact a local relief org to see what they’re doing BEFORE you start anything.

Buying a ticket STAT?

Say your first instinct is to buy a plane ticket because you’re a more “get your hands dirty” kind of person. Don’t do it! While your desire is admirable, you may end up seriously complication relief efforts. The volunteers that are needed are those that have:

• previous disaster or international experience
• technical skills in medical, communications, logistics, water/sanitation or engineering

If you have these skills or experience, great but don’t go rushing off to your nearest airport just yet. Register with the Center for International Disaster Information first and they’ll help get you to where your skills will be better served.