Yesterday, I sent out a donation to a relief organization to aid in the effort to help the citizens of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. When you see the images of those people, wandering aimlessly through streets strewn with corpses and the rubble of what was their life before the quake, how can someone turn their back on these people? I know we all have our own problems and worries in our own lives to bear but do they really compare to what these folks are experiencing?
Try to imagine the feelings that must be racing through these people’s minds. Despair and loss. The feeling of utter hopelessness. In all too many cases, the grief of losing family. These are people who have struggled through the bleakest of times only to have everything they have stripped away in a few moments.
Do your problems really compare?
If you can, please give, but choose wisely. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous skunks out there willing to profit from this type of tragedy. I have always supported Americares because of the efficiency of their organization. Over 99% of their donations go directly to rescue and aid efforts all over the world as well as here in the US. Another is the Red Cross , always at the forefront of providing disaster assistance. Then there is Yele which is the Haitian relief organization set up by Wyclef Jean in 2005 to help lead his native land in recovery from their many past woes. There are many others who are trying to provide great assistance to the people of Haiti. Just know what the organization really is to which you are donating.
ANOTHER SMALL WAY TO HELP
Besides my cash donation, I would like to offer this painting up for an online auction in which all proceeds will go to one of your choice of the three organizations listed above. Actually, I will go one better– I will donate 125% of the winning bid, 100% of the bid and an additional 25% from my own pocket. So your winning bid will provide $1.25 of aid for every dollar bid. I will pay for shipping and insurance for the piece. Bids will be accepted through the comments section or, if you prefer anonymity, at my website’s email address, info@gcmyers.com .
This painting is titled Proclamation and is a 12″ by 16″ painting on canvas, framed in my normal floating frame. It is a piece that would normally be priced in the $1400 range in galleries. I will ship it with a dedication to you on the back in honor of your donation as well as a signed copy of my book.
The bidding starts at $300 and runs until Tuesday, January 19, at 12 noon EST.
So, if you’d like to help in a small way the people of Haiti you can bid on this piece with my gratitude in knowing my work would be of some help to these people. If you can’t or don’t want to bid on this, try to give something to an organization set up to help these folks, such as the ones listed above. If you know someone who might be interested in this painting and in giving aid to the Haitian people, pass this post on to them.
Whatever the case, try to help…
The Current High Bid as of 2:57 PM Friday is——$ 1500.00
Redtree Times 