CAPITAL REGION — If you’re looking for a way to help the people of Haiti, there are lots of opportunities. Here are the ones we know about to date:
American Red Cross donations
A number of local businesses are working to generate donations to The American Red Cross.
Links to recent Gazette stories on Haiti
Saratoga Springs dance teacher finds family members alive in Haiti. Click HERE
Area residents bring back concerns, frustrations from Haiti. Click HERE
Local donations for Haiti pour in. Click HERE
Hadley family with Haiti connections helping quake victims. Click HERE
Groups offer outlet for helping Haitians. Click HERE
Haitian native says needs are long-term. Click HERE
People can donate to Your Help Counts through Price Chopper's Web site or through one of the company’s participating stores. Customers may purchase a pin up at any open register for $1 donation or any denomination, with the money going directly to the Red Cross. WNYT Channel 13 is also involved in the Your Help Counts program.
People may also donate to the Red Cross at any SEFCU branch.
Congregation Shaara Tfille to host benefit for Haiti
The Congregation Shaara Tfille and The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs, located at 84 Weibel Ave., will be having an evening of music to benefit Haiti on Saturday, Feb.13. Cantor Ken Blatt will perform a program of uplifting and inspirational songs accompanied by Michael Clement at the keyboard. Special guest Linda Cantave, a Native of Haiti, will give a first-hand testimonial of the events in Haiti. Doors will open at 7 p.m.; the concert begins at 8 p.m. and refreshments will be served.
Admission is a requested minimum donation of $10. Donations will be accepted on behalf of American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee or Doctors without Borders. For more information, call Carole at 584-2370
Dr. Blatt has performed as a professional singer and actor, studied cantorial music with the renowned Cantor Leon Berger in Brooklyn and Woodmere and received his Cantorial Ordination from the School of Sacred Music of Woodmere.
Benefit concert Feb. 11 at Albany’s The Palace
ALBANY — The city of Albany, The Palace Theatre and Albany Medical Center are working together on a “Hearts for Haiti” benefit concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Palace.
City of Albany is going to present a benefit concert on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Palace Theatre featuring the following bands:
The Audio Stars, a 4-piece cover band featuring former members of some of the top bands in the Northeast; Sirsy, an indie pop-rock duo; Slick Fitty, a well-known rockabilly group; Jill Hughes, jazz and R&B vocalist; and David Malachowski and the Woodstock All Stars.
Tickets are $15 at the Palace Theatre Box Office 465-4663 and will be available at ticketmaster.com. This is a general admission show.
Money raised will benefit Partners in Health, who have been established in Haiti for 20 years and are organizing medical personnel, volunteers & supplies for the relief effort.
All performers, staff, stagehands and technical support are being donated to produce this event.
In conjunction with the fundraiser, Albany Medical Center is launching a “Hearts For Haiti” fundraising campaign in which the public can buy a paper red heart for a contribution of at least $1, with all proceeds also benefiting Partners in Health.
This program is the idea of one of Albany Med’s first-year medical students who felt the compelling need to help the people affected by the tremendous disaster in Haiti. Paper hearts will be sold and displayed in the Medical Center. Hearts may be purchased at Albany Medical Center in the following locations: Choices Cafe from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, or in the Volunteer Office (E-136) or the Office of Family & Community Medicine (TS-101). Also, they can be purchased online at www.amc.edu and will be available on February 11 at the Hearts for Haiti Concert at the Palace Theater.
More information: www.albanyny.gov or www.palacealbany.com or www.amc.edu.
Kindergartners reading to raise cash
EAST GREENBUSH — Kindergarten students in one local elementary school are raising money to help the people in Haiti.
The Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School students in Shondra Jones’ kindergarten class have launched the Read for Haiti fundraisiing project.
The students have obtained sponsors within their school community, the district’s local businesses, family, and friends. The sponsors have pledged to pay the students for each book they read within a three week period.
In addition, a number of businesses have pledged to support the Read for Haiti project by sponsoring the entire class while others made a generous donation. Some businesses agreed to match what the class earned.
On Feb. 5, the class will present the money they raised to a representative of the Red Cross.
Funeral directors’ group seeking donations
ALBANY — The New York State Tribute Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, has established a Haitian Relief Fund.
All New York funeral directors, funeral service suppliers and others affiliated with funeral service in the state are being encouraged to donate to this special fund. The public is also invited to make contributions to this fund.
NYSFDA Executive Director Bonnie McCullough said “100 percent of all donated funds will be directed to help the Haitian people and others there as part of the massive relief effort that is just now under way. Although it is premature at this point to identify a specific organization as beneficiary of contributions made to the Tribute Foundation, we are assuring donors that our combined funds will be targeted in the most effective and efficient manner to ensure that they make a tangible difference.”
McCullough added that the distribution of these funds will be determined by New York funeral professionals who serve as directors of the Tribute Foundation once a targeted area of great need is identified.
To make a donation to the Tribute Foundation Haitian Relief Effort, please call 800-291-2629, visit tributefoundation.org or mail to: 426 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.
Adirondack CC accepting donations
In an effort to better develop an understanding of the situation in Haiti, Adirondack Community College held a "Haiti Teach In" on Monday, Feb. 1. The event, sponsored by the college's Community Involvement Taskforce, involved all faculty members, regardless of discipline, focusing at least part of their lecture on a topic relevant to the situation in Haiti.
The college will also accept donations to support relief efforts in Haiti. All funds will be distributed to Partners in Progress, a group which has had a presence in Haiti for many years. Donations can be delivered to the Student Computing Center in the lower level of the college's Scoville Learning Center, or mailed to Roseann Anzalone at Adirondack Community College, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804. Checks should
Catholic Charities raising money
The Albany Catholic Diocese's Catholic Charities is collecting donations to aid in the relief effort. Donations may be mailed to 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York 12203. In the memo portion of the check donors should write the words Haiti Earthquake.
All of these donations will be going directly to Catholic Relief Services and used towards the earthquake relief effort in Haiti. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 518-453-6650."
