Because charity doesn't end when the headlines do

The news of earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 dominated the news for days. But it wasn't long before the headlines turned to other things. Now, almost eleven weeks later, we hear little about what is happening in the devastated country.

Haiti's problems are just beginning. A "Preliminary Damage and Needs Assessment" (PDNA) report issued by Haiti's government and several major donors gave these statistics:

• More than 220,000 people killed and more than 300,000 others injured.
• Homes: 105,000 completely destroyed, more than 208,000 damaged.
• Educational institutions: more than 1,300 collapsed or unusable.
• Hospitals and health centres: more than 50 collapsed or unusable.
• Debris: 40 million cubic metres
• Total value of damage and losses: US$7.9 billion, equivalent to 120 per cent of Haiti's 2009 GDP (by that measure, the Jan. 12 quake was the worst disaster in the 35 years that methodology has been applied)
• Recovery cost: $11.5 billion over the next three years

These numbers are overwhelming. You may wonder what you can do to help.

You can read!

That's right. Inspired by one author, 100 writers got together and contributed short stories of hope, love, joy, and life that would help raise money for the victims of the earthquake.

100 Stories for Haiti is available in ebook form from Smashwords 

or in paperback from British publisher Bridge House Publishing.

Since it is a British publisher, the cost is in pounds and the shipping is expensive. If the shipping cost is a problem but you would still like to order a copy, please let me know in the comments. I will be going to the UK in June and would be happy to add your order to mine and hand carry them back to the US. (If I order 5 copies at once, it will ship direct from the printer and save money).

If you would like more information, go to the 100 Stories for Haiti website or click the image on the right hand side of this blog.

Imagine...you get to read great stories (including my story "The Last Bus to Montreal") AND you will be contributing to the British Red Cross to aid Haiti.

If you want to get involved, please link to this blog or directly to 100 Stories for Haiti and help us get the word out.
Thank you!