Help Haiti Live
I’ve noticed a couple of places online mentioning a live benefit concert for Compassion International this Saturday. The are raising money for Haiti relief.
If ever there was a country on this side of the world that didn’t need an earthquake or any more natural disasters, it was Haiti. The only good thing to come from this disaster is the new awareness we Americans have about the daily poverty of this country. It looks like Compassion is now transitioning from relieving disaster needs to setting up more permanent care centers and programs to sponsor Haitian children.
One thing I have learned in the last 5 years of helping raise funds for humanitarian non-profits is that the need for help after a disaster lasts much longer than the headlines about the disaster. Remember the Tsunami in 2004? They’ll still trying to rebuild their lives and infrastructure. Remember Katrina? People in the U.S. are still rebuilding and are still in need.
Haiti will need help for years (not weeks or months) to come. I’m glad to know folks like Compassion are NOT blowing into town like a carnival — just to grab donations during the “headlines” phase of a disaster and then quickly leaving the disaster victims to figure it out on their own.
Part of the current need is to renew awareness of the lingering situation and sustaining needs. Compassion International is raising awareness through a benefit concert. But unlike other concerts, which by nature are localized to wherever the concert occurs, this weekend’s concert will be streamed live over the internet at Compassion’s event microsite: helphaitilive.com
Great Name for the Concert
Is it Help Haiti LIVE, as in “survive another day”; or is it Help Haiti LIVE, as in “a live concert” that is not pre-recorded? I think the name’s meaning is purposefully both; very nice play on words. Kudos to the UI of the event — even at the naming of the concert.
If you are into Christian music, it looks to be a fun event. The performer line up is:
- Big Kenny
- Alison Krauss and Union Station
Also featuring artists:
- Jerry Douglas
- Jars of Clay
- Mat Kearney
- Jon Foreman
- Brandon Heath
- Matt Wertz
- David Barnes
How does a concert help Haiti?
According to their website, 100% of the concert proceeds will go to Compassion’s Haiti Fund, and 100% of all the online donations will go to their Haiti Fund as well. This is 20% more than normal, so if you are going to watch the concert from home, plan on giving a little something to help.
