Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haitian Relief Effort - Comment to Raise Funds

  • No man is an island

No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee.
-- John Donne

FINAL TALLY: February 1st, 2009: You left 1750 comments on this blog in the last 18 days, raising a total of $17,500 for Haiti Relief. Thank you so much to everyone who participated by commenting, linking, tweeting, retweeting and getting the word out.
As soon as they are made available to me, I will post the donation receipts. Thank you again.


UPDATE Days 1-15: 12am GMT 1/29 - 1466 comments = $14,660. Thank you! 3 days left.

UPDATE Days 1-12: 10:30pm GMT 1/25 - 1365 comments = $13,650. Thank you.

UPDATE Days 1-9: 12am GMT 1/23 - 1155 comments = $11,550. Thank you.

UPDATE Days 1-6: 12am GMT 1/20 - 1075 comments = $10,750. Thank you.

UPDATE Days 1-3: 12am GMT 1/17 - So far you have left 691 comments = $6910 raised. Thank you.

UPDATE: I'm getting a lot of questions via email about the legitimacy of this effort, so let me say a few things:
  • After checking with the sponsor to be sure, I can say that the sponsor is a Gulf State embassy here in London. They do not wish to be named as they do not want any further solicitations from unknown parties.
  • They are already donating money to Haiti but on a scale that has nothing to do with this small effort. This, even if I had the kind of traffic that The Pioneer Woman has, represents pocket change to them and it is for a good cause so they are happy to do it.
  • You do not need to thank me, it's not my money, it's theirs. You are welcome to leave a comment with anything else in it other than a thank you to me. 
  • If you have something nasty to say, I'd rather you left it in a comment than emailed me with it as your comment will still raise $10.
This is not the most auspicious way to get back to blogging after a mini-hiatus, but unless you live under a rock (and obviously you don't because you're reading this), you know the eyes of the world are turned toward Haiti at this very moment and the right thing to do is not to just post about something delicious I made or ate, but to use whatever opportunity I might have to help in some way. So here goes my way of helping:
If you are a food blog reader, you already know what Menu for Hope is and perhaps saw my participating bid item, or even bid on it, a few weeks ago. While it is a condition of my agreement with the organization that graciously donated the Kenwood Mixer (on very short notice and which would actually have been happy to donate something bigger if they'd had more notice) that I not name it, this same organization has very generously agreed to make a donation to Haiti Relief through this blog. So, while I unfortunately cannot name this organization other than to say that it is a government mission, I can extend their very generous offer for you folks to help me help the Haiti Relief effort.

For every comment that is left on my blog between now and January 31st, $10 will be donated to the purchase of essential supplies such as blankets, food, water, medical supplies etc... I am fortunate that as the donating party is a government mission, they can organize the prompt purchase and, more importantly, the actual dispatch and arrival of these goods to Haiti.
The number of comments you leave will be added up every 3 days and the corresponding amount will be put toward the purchase of the goods. In case you're wondering, look around, I don't have any kind of advertising on this blog so I don't benefit from any traffic this site gets.

It doesn't matter where you leave the comment, it can be on the first post I ever wrote, I will simply add up the comments I get in my email and tally those up. Just to clarify since I've been asked this a few times already, YOU MAY LEAVE ONE COMMENT PER POST and YOU MAY COMMENT ON AS MANY POSTS AS YOU LIKE ON THIS BLOG, but you may not make several comments on the same post, otherwise they regard that as the same thing as if I commented on my own posts a bunch of times. And to answer someone's question in the comments, as a government mission they are already making their own donation to the effort on a governmental level, this is just a cherry on the proverbial cake because I have a good relationship with them thanks to my husband.

So again, to be clear: You do not have to comment only on the most recent post - the sponsor will take into account new comments left on ANY of my posts before January 31st. In fact, the only restriction is that you may not leave multiple comments on the same post (as these will be disregarded for donation purposes).

If you don't want to participate here, you can always make a donation to a charitable organization such as Doctors Without Borders or a less well-known organization called Partners in Health which has been working in Haiti for over 20 years.
Or you can pick another organization (US readers) from this list put together by CharityWatch.org of the top legitimate charitable organizations involved in the Haitian Relief Effort.

For similar efforts, please visit these other blogs if you haven't already and leave a comment: it's so easy and will help someone over there, and if you can, please spread the word:

Ree of The Pioneer Woman

Alice of Savory Sweet Life

Michelle of Thursday Night Smackdown

Amy of Amy Leavitt Photography

Pam of The Cooking Ninja

Erin at $5 Dinners

Karen of Does that make sense?

May of Mayk all day every day.

Crystal of Money Saving Mom

Gaby of What's Gaby Cooking? 

A.C Parker of Feeding the Saints
 

Thank you.

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619 comments:

1 – 200 of 619   Newer›   Newest»
Sue said...

I am happy to help in any way I can.

bethany said...

Good thinking Hilda!WE MUST DONATE!No one should feel comfortable going to bed knowing and seeing another person is suffering no matter how far away. As you said we don't live on a rock!

bethany said...

I meant under a rock!! We don't live under a rock!

erica said...

Happily! Thank you for organizing.

heatheradele said...

What a great idea!

El said...

I'm so glad you're doing this. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thanks very much for using your voice to do something so generous. Very powerful.

Rebecca Leaman said...

How very generous! And all the more so when the donor organization insists on anonymity: no awkward questions about mixed motives. Thank you for extending this opportunity.

Blake Raab said...

I found this blog because the person above me in the comments (Rebecca, in case someone posts before me) tweeted about it. Thanks to you and the unnamed organization for both putting an important issue above your own gain. I'm more than happy to leave a comment for this.

KD said...

Great idea and thank you

Ann said...

This is a great idea - thanks!

caitlin said...

What a great post - and idea! Thanks Hilda and anonymous for providing another way we can help.

Amanda said...

I am touched and amazed that so many people are finding ways to help. I am happy do this, and will continue to seek ways to contribute time, money, whatever it takes.

Unknown said...

Great way to use social media and make a difference. Thanks...

Anonymous said...

Well done!

Anonymous said...

comment

Rambling Tart said...

I'm so glad you're doing this, Hilda.

dave said...

I found this on RT on twitter. Good luck with your fundraising.

beth said...

Thank you so much for posting this.

Asha @ FSK said...

Hey Hilda, It is a good way to reach out to people again. I am glad you are doing this..

S said...

dear hilda, a selfless effort on your part and happy to contribute in any way possible for those who are suffering, best wishes and inshallah things will get better. shayma

Sari @ Cook Your Dream said...

Thank you Hilda for doing this. I really appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

A comment for haiti!

Kaitlin Wainwright said...

Bravo! Good luck with this effort.

Meg said...

This is amazing! thank you for this!!

alice said...

Awesome to see more people using their blogs as a platform to help in the Haiti Relief efforts.

Alice

Lori Leo said...

want to help and if this helps than i am happy!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Many thanks to the donor!

Anna said...

Thank you for your generosity!

DebD said...

Happy to help and grateful to the donor!

The Casual Baker said...

What a great idea. Many thanks.

Heidi Leon Monges said...

Hilda darling. I LOVE YOU!!!!
You are such a sweet and caring person.

Sending you a HUGE hug!

oh, and I'm RT and sharing this post everywhere!

h

Caitlin @ Roaming Tales said...

I'm curious that the government mission would be making additional funds available via this mechanism. I would've thought they'd be making a donation anyway. But hey, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth and it doesn't cost me anything to comment. I love the pic by the way and John Donne is awesome.

Anonymous said...

Really? Marvellous. Here we go. Ker-ching.

babyluvvie said...

Praying for Haiti.

Michi said...

My thoughts and prayers go out tothe people of Haiti.

m, said...

I'm so glad that you're doing this, and that I can be a tiny part in this. Thank You

Anonymous said...

Support the people of Haiti !

Tamara said...

My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Rachel said...

Thank you for doing this.

Lexi said...

I am humbled by the blogging communities outreach to the crisis Haiti. You have a new blog follower! xoxo

Anonymous said...

What an amazing gift to give the sweet people of Haiti

Stacy said...

What a wonderful show of support to those who need all the help we can give.

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful---sending much love and prayers to the people of Haiti.

JulieK said...

Thank you for doing this

Rachael Hutchings said...

You never cease to amaze me. Thank you for making this happen. Someday I hope I get to hug you in person. XOXO

Antiquerain said...

Yearning for the people of Haiti. Love the Donne quote.

Lord, in your great compassion answer the cries of Haiti. Bring comfort.

cocopuff1212 said...

Supporting it 100%. Thank you for doing this.

Sparkly Jules said...

Prayers for the people of Haiti, appreciation for the Donne quote (I love that one), and my thanks for your doing this.

Rach said...

Thank you so much for your compassion! I'm going to try and do more to help now.

Lauren said...

Thank you for doing this!

Hillcrest CRC Haiti Mission Team said...

Thanks for doing this for Haiti!

Anonymous said...

Great idea. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thanks to you and the donor for doing this.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing the blogging community it doing. My prayers and thoughts go out to all the people in Haiti affected and the people who are helping in the relief.

Lindsay said...

Thank you for doing this. We must all help in any way we can during this terrible time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected by the disaster as well as all the heroes who are going to help.

Mari said...

Thank you!

Kris said...

Thank you for showing us another way we can be involved in helping in Haiti. Appreciate your great example in caring for others.

Martha Mc from the 'Ville said...

Thank you for providing the forum and for the donor for providing the funds to the people of Haiti.
Martha Mc

vonneybeth said...

Thank you for doing this. What a beautiful way to support the people of Haiti.

Caria said...

Sending out prayers.

Stephanie said...

What a wonderful way to raise much needed help for Haiti. Thank you.

Jacqueline said...

Thank you for your generosity and using your small corner of the internet to give back. You are an inspiration for us all!

Anonymous said...

I don't have a big readership, but I'm doing this on my blog as well - http://amyleavittphotography.com/blog

olivia said...

This is amazing, thank you for facilitating this.

Kara said...

Thank you for this. Kenbe la, Ayiti.

ronnie said...

Thank you

Ann said...

This is excellent! Thank you!

Dee said...

What a wonderful thing!

Rachel Rhodes said...

Not sure why I am having so much trouble commenting! But try, try again! This is wonderful thing that you're doing! You rock, as usual!

Anonymous said...

THANKYOU!

Dawn M. said...

Thank you to you and the anonymous donor. This is awesome!

My thoughts and prayers are going out to the people of Haiti.

EmJay said...

commenting for Haiti

Bratfink said...

My heart breaks too when I see those pictures. :(

I went and donated at www.yele.org, an organization begun in 2005 by Wyclef Jean, a Grammy-Award winning musician, humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti.

I will keep Haiti in my prayers.

cheryl lange said...

thanks for doing this!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful idea, and I hope everyone posting is also making their own donation! H.

Stacey said...

This is so wonderful. I'm in awe of your generosity. =o)

Karenpie said...

Thank you so much for doing this! I know 4 people who work as missionaries in Haiti and we sponsor a 10 year-old boy in Merger - a horrible slum in PaP. So far we know that 2 of our friends are OK - alive and dealing with the 2000 refugees who are living in their yard. We don't know about our little boy or the other 2 missionaries and it's breaking my heart.

The charities we support are;
CrossWorld/STEP Ministries - Bruce and Cindy McMartin, missionaries and

Merger Bible School - Johny and Rosadite Phillipe, administrators

Unknown said...

Thank you! Haiti needs this.

Amanda said...

Thanks for doing this!

stuff n' things said...

thank you so much for doing this!

heavenlyginger said...

Thanks for doing this!!

Sezin said...

This is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for helping us help.

The Cooking Ninja said...

I'm more than happy to leave a comment to help this good cause.

Evie said...

Thanks for doing this.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to help! Many thanks

sidharth said...

Happy to help! Good Job!

French Cooking for Dummies said...

What a great initiative! There can't be too much help for Haiti...Thanks for involving us all.

Anonymous said...

An awesome idea. Bravo.

Gary

Sanskrit Visions said...

glad to comment. god bless haiti.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this opportunity Hilda, there is so much to be done. I've enjoyed your caring, nurturing, spice-of-life presence on Twitter this past year.

Elizabeth @ My Life, Such as it is... said...

What a wonderful thing to do! A friend from college adopted 2 kids from Haiti. They still haven't heard from the birthfamily.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to help other people who really need it at the moment. Petra

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing this. There are bleeding hearts in Haiti and we all need to help them

eemster2009 said...

It's good to see that compassion and empathy are alive and well. Thank you.

Finla said...

I will be here every day to comment till jan 31st on your place in different post.

Jeanne said...

That is a wonderful gesture from the anonymous organisation - glad to help in any way I can. I will spread the word and try to get some sort of fundraiser up on my blog too.

Anonymous said...

You're absolutely awesome, and a shining example of compassion for all of us, thank you <3

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine what the families must be going through. Wish I were on the ground to help. Failing that, here's to the donation.

tara said...

Thanks to the agency for their generous offer, and thanks to you for taking them up on it. now's the time to do all that we can, the loss is just devestating.

Anonymous said...

My prayers go out to the people of Haiti.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to the donor for their kindness!

Evie said...

Great idea! www.kiwanisuptown.org is also accepting donations that go to the Billy Graham World Memorial Fund. Kiwanis International is a global organization of leaders dedicated to serving the children of the world.

Unknown said...

Thank you for doing this! My thoughts and prayers are w/the people of Haiti and all those who are there or on their way there to help. God Bless them all and thank you.
Cook with Care

Nat said...

Wow impressive... Thanks so much Hilda for your compassion and generosity... and all for your great comments... May we all help the people in Haiti and don't forget them !

Anonymous said...

Bloggers are the best! New to your site, thanks for doing this. God Bless

Maggie said...

What a great thing to do!

Nic said...

Thank you for this!

Deeba PAB said...

You really are the best Hilda...
I am heart broken for what happened in Haiti. Thank you for doing this!

Unknown said...

Hilda, I've been reading your blog and following you on twitter since a while but have never commented. This is the perfect opportunity!
This is a wonderful way to help ppl in Haiti!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing this - blessings to you and yours!

Louanne said...

Thank you Hilda. I am praying for the people of Haiti.

roarers said...

What a great idea. Well done for arranging it!

Anonymous said...

commenting for Haiti

Alexandra said...

Thank you for doing this.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing this! My heart aches for the Haitian people.

Anonymous said...

God Bless Haiti!!

Sarah V. said...

I can only hope the goodwill is long-term. thank you for opening your corner of the web to it.

Anonymous said...

Commenting for Haiti...

Dana said...

Brilliant. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing this.

Engineer Baker said...

You are a rockstar. Seriously. Big kudos for doing this!

McElwee 3 said...

God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

Brilliant going and a huge thanks to the "organization!" this is a great cause and every little bit helps! I am glad to be a part of such a generous and caring community!

Unknown said...

Thanks for another opportunity to help out!

Shaina said...

Thank you for doing this, Hilda. My heart goes out to the people in Haiti.

Sylvie said...

Awesome idea. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Well done for organising this. The world needs people like you.

-jess said...

Thinking of the people of Haiti today..........

Unknown said...

Thanks for donations - prayers to Haiti - comfort, endurance, love

Jill said...

Fantastic! This is very generous :)

Karen P said...

Thanks for doing this

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much for doing this!

Anonymous said...

God be with you, Haiti.

Anonymous said...

Prayers are with them.

Margaret said...

Thank you for doing this.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this - bless you!

Ranni said...

Thank you so much for this opportunity to help out!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your generosity and kind heart! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing this!

Anonymous said...

Let's do it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing this.

Unknown said...

wonderful idea, thanks!

La Tartine Gourmande said...

Thank you for such a caring effort Hilda. What happened is terrible and hard to even imagine! Anything we can do is hopefully going to help these poor people

Anonymous said...

Thanks! Great Idea!

Jade said...

I'm so happy that people are doing this, it means even someone like me who has no money can still help in some way

leigh said...

Thank you for doing this!

Karina said...

Prayers to those who lost their lives, their families, and everyone still suffering.

Candy Howard said...

Thank you so much! Another wonderful organization is www.doubleharvest.org. 100% of donations goes to Haiti because the VanWingerden family covers all administrative costs.

Nikki said...

My heart is aching for the people of Haiti, it cries out for them. Thanks for doing this, it is a great and wonderful thing.

Danielle said...

Thank you for doing this! My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Emily @ Gourmet Mommy said...

Great way to raise money, many thanks!

Julie said...

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for allowing us to particpate in your giving.

Rondi said...

Praying daily for the people of Haiti. Lord have mercy! Thank you for doing this wonderful thing. God bless you!

VanDyks said...

Thank you so much for arranging this. My heart is breaking for the people of Haiti.

Bobbie said...

Thank you for doing this. It will be huge blessing to the people in Haiti.

Jensamom23 said...

What a blessing you are.

Ramya Kiran said...

'All Is Well'

Godlesscook said...

Thanks for doing this.

Renee said...

Many, many prayers are going out to those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti…

God Bless you for putting this together.

Unknown said...

Thank you for doing this!

Jenelle T. said...

My thoughts and prayers are with Haiti.

Hannah Edwards said...

Praying hard, Haiti!!

Danielle said...

Thank you for doing this. I appreciate every dime that everyone is willing to give to these people who were already so downtrodden. We will continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

Kristin said...

Thank you for playing a part in getting aid to the Haitians.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your help with Haiti. My prayers to everyone affected by this.

Emily said...

I am praying for them all!

Rachel said...

supporting those who support Haiti!
We love Compassion Inter'l. Thank you for your tender heart!
blessings,
rachel

Jenna said...

Well, this is the LEAST I can do! Praying for Haiti!

Tonya Lynn said...

Whoever this company is that is helping the relief effort does not wish to be named I think that they are helping to be part of an amazing out pouring of love on the people of Haiti

Mary said...

Hilda, thank you for providing such an easy way to send so much to people in need. And, of course, many many thanks to the anonymous group that is handling the donations.

sjens said...

Praying for the people of Haiti.

Y said...

What a great idea, Hilda. Every little bit counts, I'm sure.

dianagrind said...

Leaving a comment for charity. God bless you.

Trish said...

The people of Haiti are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Amazing, what you and other bloggers are doing.

Anonymous said...

God bless the Haitians and those who help

Lisa J. said...

This is an amazing way to help our brothers and sisters. Thank you

Lowell said...

Thanks for doing this.

Miss Shelly said...

It's amazing that you are doing this. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

God bless Haiti!

Anonymous said...

Every little bit helps.

Tricia said...

Praying for the people of Haiti!

sarahbicky said...

This is such an exceptional effort Hilda by yourself and others in the virtual food world... May the people of Haiti receive the dire care they need in the coming days... May these comments fuel this effort!

Kristine said...

This is lovely, thank you.

Anonymous said...

God bless you for doing this.

Lydia said...

Praying for all those affected by the earthquake. Thank you for your generosity.

Sara said...

What a wonderful thing to do. I came to your blog from Savory Sweet Life and to that one from the Pioneer Woman. Thank you.

Kandace said...

We are all thinking of Haiti at this time...

Molly @ View From a Saddle said...

Praying for Haiti and all the people that have suffered.

Elizabeth White said...

I can't even imagine the devastation there. It breaks my heart.

:::b r a n d i::: said...

Thanks for doing thiss.

Unknown said...

It's a great thing all the bloggers are doing! Haiti is going to need a tremendous amount of help.

Melissa Allen said...

Thank you for doing this!

Lori said...

I'm so happy to do whatever I can... Such and Awesome Idea!!

Alice said...

Thank you for doing this and for raising awareness.

The Tan of A said...

I found your link on Savory Sweet's blog (found from PW's). Thanks for your generosity.

emily said...

Came to your blog via Pioneer Woman and Savory Sweet Life.

Thank you for this effort, and I will get the word out!

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