When the massive 7.0 earthquake shook the impoverished nation of Haiti, the world showed up. Big time.
Donations to Haiti relief efforts to date are roughly estimated to top $644M and the most amazing (homeless village donates $15 to Haiti) and bizarre (Lap Dances for Haiti) stories continue to surface about people from all walks of life who were moved enough to move for Haiti.
In a down economy and our fast-paced society, it’s more than noteworthy that we looked up enough from balancing our own checkbooks to write a check for Haiti. And it’s important we figure out why this particular disaster moved us to action.
And not only check-writing action, but creative action. I particularly loved seeing businesses quickly make use of their resources to make a difference.
Some highlights:
Honora Pearls created a pearl necklace using the national colors of Haiti and donated
100% of the proceeds to Haiti relief efforts.
Indianapolis-based Palette Press mobilized their fine wine community to host an online Wine for Haiti auction, donating proceeds to the American Red Cross.
Etsy.com’s Hearts for Haiti page features hundreds of items donated by Etsy shops to benefit Doctors Without Borders.
Portland, OR-based Milagros rallied their family-and-eco-friendly community by donating 10% of their sales to Mercy Corps’ Haiti relief efforts and used their website as a community listing for other local businesses donating to relief efforts.
So why did this tragedy in Haiti inspire such swift and deep action?
Two fundamental reasons:
1) Because we were moved. Each and every one of us can imagine the despair of suddenly watching our home crumble around us, the uncertainty of not knowing whether our loved ones are safe, the terror of not having even the most basic needs or prospect of rescue. This tragedy spoke directly to our human decency. Our basic need to help one another. And we worried that after losing all they had, the Haitians just might lose hope. And that was too much to bear.
2) Because we had a defined call to action to which we could respond. When presented with a circumstance where even donating the smallest amount could help, we stepped forward. Local businesses, families, schools, faith and community organizations rallied together around one cause so the choice was clear.
So often we’re faced with too many decisions, too much information and that, in turn, generates a deep-rooted fear about whether our individual efforts will make a difference at the end of the day. We’re not inspired to use our ideas for good because it doesn’t seem like quite the right time. Or the right place. We’re certain someone else will take care of it. The earthquake in Haiti forced our hand. Disaster doesn’t wait for indecision. We were forced to act and act we did.
Here’s the thing, though. We live in a world where there is no shortage of opportunities to rally. The world needs the benefit of our unique talents, our creativity and our action on an ongoing basis. It IS the right time. It IS the right place. You ARE the right person. Let’s get to work.
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