1) First, I don't have a text plan. I can't afford a text plan because Sprint sucks and as soon as my contract is up, I will be leaving them after a customer of 15 years. But, I see my Sprint (and the public pointed their error and greediness) finally followed the lead of other carriers and got rid of the text charges for donation texts for Haiti. (Now, if Sprint takes the lead of other carriers and cuts the rates or allows free calls to Haiti.)
2) While, texting to donate is convenient; it will be added to my phone bill, I want to know if I am going to get a tax receipt for my donation. Not that I make enough to claim deductions like that, but there are people who do. My guess is probably not.
3) Then there is the question of extra taxes on my cellphone bill for the $10+ (or multiple donations). Is the government going to wave the tax charges on these extra charge(s) on your cell bill? My guess is probably not. The government needs their share of the cut.
4) I also have the question on how long this money will take to get to Haiti. My guess 60 to 90 days. One your statement has to be sent to you, you need to pay it, then your carrier needs to cut the checks. (And, really when you think about it, look how fast it takes for them to credit your account for their errors.) Haiti needs your money NOW, not 60-90 days from now. Unless, these carriers plan on fronting the money, of which I can't see happening. That would be too much “risk” for them.
5) And this is just a general statement. Know who you are donating to and make sure it is a legitimate organization. Also, find out what percentage of the donation actually makes it to the cause.
Please go directly the websites and make your donation. You will get an eReceipt for tax purposes and these organizations will have their money right away.
I am happy to report, finally, that MasterCard, Visa & Discover Card are not charging the 2-3% swipe fee on credit card charges for donations made to the Haiti Earthquake. So, if you donate $10 through their website, the organization will get the full $10.
If you are sending checks or money orders to these organizations, please make sure you ear mark it by putting in the memo Haiti Earthquake Relief. Without an earmark, the organization legally can put it in their general fund and not end up going to people you want it to go to. DO NOT DONATE CASH!
Personally, I have donated to Doctors without Borders, UNICEF and Mercy Corps. I have received prompt tax receipts for all three organizations.
Below you find the links to reputable organizations sites. This list is provided by ABC.com
Doctors Without Borders:https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=219&&source=AUU090000DE0
UNICEF:https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6680&6680.donation=form1
Mercy Corps:https://donate.mercycorps.org/donation.htm?DonorIntent=Haiti%20Earthquake&Custom15=wm&Custom18=f16fa36b6b2618296814c89c247177e3
U.S. State Department:http://www.state.gov/
William J. Clinton Foundation:https://re.clintonfoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=3869
Catholic Relief Services:http://crs.org/
Partners in Health:https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source=earthquake&subsource=homepage
World Food Programme:http://www.wfp.org/stories/haiti-wfp-bring-food-devastating-quake
Food for the Hungry:http://www.fh.org/learn/news/disaster/haiti-rocked-by-powerful-quake?promocode=WA25WD0A2
The Salvation Army:http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
CARE:https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?5000.donation=form1&df_id=5000
AmeriCares:http://www.americares.org/
Samaritan's Purse:http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
Operation Blessing International:http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/haiti-earthquake-help-victims/www.ob.org
Action Against Hunger:http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/pressroom/releases/2010/01/13
Save the Children:http://www.savethechildren.org/?WT.mc_id=1109_sp_logo
Habitat for Humanity:http://www.habitat.org/
Merlin (Medical Emergency Relief International):http://www.merlin-usa.org/
Oxfam America:http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
International Medical Corps:http://www.imcworldwide.org/Page.aspx?pid=183
International Rescue Committee:http://www.theirc.org/
World Relief Corporation:http://worldrelief.org/Page.aspx?pid=192
Hope for Haiti:http://www.hopeforhaiti.com/
Food for the Poor:http://www.foodforthepoor.org/
Concern Worldwide:http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/haiti-earthquake-help-victims/www.concernusa.org/HaitiAppeal.
American Red Cross:http://www.redcross.org/
from: Julliannas Weblog
Cassadees Weblog
Abijahs Site
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- SyFy’s Ghost Hunters TV show is planning on filming an episode from the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, New York soon. Tony Vellano, who runs the Hall, is claiming that there’s paranormal activity happening near the displays of former WWE stars The Missing Link and Bam Bam Bigelow.
- It looks like WWE won’t have the same problem on pay-per-view next year with WrestleMania 27 that they had this year competing with UFC for WrestleMania 26. Next year’s WrestleMania takes place on April 3rd while UFC’s pay-per-view at that time takes place the weekend before on March 26th.
Readers Rating:
(No Ratings Yet)