Don't just sympathize, donate

The scenes in Haiti defy belief. We wonder how we can help these people from our safe homes.

Here's a good way:

Below is a list of organizations responding to the earthquake and how to contact them. We are running this list on our Web site.

The experts say it's probably better to donate to an organization that already has a presence in Haiti instead of a group that has no experience there.

As always, be wary of e-mail scams. There has to be a special place in hell for creeps who look at a disaster like this and ask themselves, "How can I make some money off of it?"

Be generous, and be quick. Lives are at stake:

-- The American Red Cross: 1-800-REDCROSS, or in Spanish, 1-800-257-7575 or online at www.redcross.org

-- The Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or www.salvationarmyusa.org or by mail at The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728 Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 or to your local Salvation Army Corps.

-- Haitian Multicultural Association: 9819 Bissonette Houston, Tx 77036 (713) 271-8988

-- International Rescue Committee: www.theirc.org

-- National Nurses United seeks nurse volunteers at www.nationalnursesunited.org

-- Doctors Without Borders: donate.doctorswithoutborders.org

-- Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org

-- American Jewish World Services: ajws.org or (212) 792-2900

-- Haitian Education Project: haitianeducationproject@saintleo.edu or 800-334-5532

-- AT&T Wireless customers can donate $10 to Red Cross International by texting HAITI to 90999

-- Buckner International, a global ministry to orphans, vulnerable children and families, is providing humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Haiti and is seeking cash donations to cover the cost of shipping for four containers (est. cost $5,000 each):
www.buckner.org