Stevie Wonder Gives Keyboard to Haiti Quake Survivor

Posted by: BuellBoy

ABC~A classical musician who survived the Haiti earthquake knows his road to recovery will be long.

But, he now has a new tool to help him along the way — thanks to a fellow, and famous musician.

For 18 hours Romel Joseph lay buried in the rubble of his music school in Port Au Prince. For 18 hours until his rescue, the concert violinist stayed alert and alive going over in his head one by one, every concerto at every concert hall he’d ever played. Romel was badly broken, his legs crushed, bones in his left hand shattered. But the concrete that covered him, would not, could not kill him.

“I thought my time was up under the ground. And God says, no. You have things to do,” said Romel.

Three weeks ago, we met Romel, who is legally blind, for the first time. He mentioned he’d like a keyboard to help strengthen the fingers in his left hand so that someday he could again play the violin. Stevie Wonder heard and answered Romel’s request.

“What better way to express God’s love than to give something that is special to you to somebody else who is in need. That’s why I did it,” Wonder said.

More @ Hat-tip: Spirit55z

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8.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Chile

Information and how to help:

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UPDATE: 7:42 a.m. — Evacuation sirens will be sounded across Hawaii at 6 am, local time

UPDATE: 6:19 a.m. — Just issued a Tsunami ‘Advisory’ for the west coast of the United States for California, Washington, coastal Alaska, and Oregon

UPDATE: 4:35 a.m. — Tsunami warnings — Warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
AP~~SANTIAGO, Chile – A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, collapsing buildings, killing at least 16 people and downing phone lines. President Michele Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in central Chile and said the death toll was rising.

Tsunami warnings were issued over a wide area, including South America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Russia and many Pacific islands.

“We have had a huge earthquake, with some aftershocks,” Bachelet said, appealing from an emergency response center for Chileans to remain calm. “Despite this, the system is
functioning. People should remain calm. We’re doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately.”

Bachelet said early reports were that 16 people had been killed, and “without a doubt, with an earthquake of this magnitude, there will be more deaths.”

In the 2 1/2 hours following the 90-second quake, the U.S. Geological Survey reported 11 aftershocks, of which five measured 6.0 or above.

She urged people to avoid traveling in the dark, since traffic lights are down, to avoid causing more fatalities.

he quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Santiago, at a depth of 22 miles (35 kilometers) at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST), the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river, and 60 miles from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.

In Santiago, the capital, modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes, but many older ones were heavily damaged, including the Nuestra Senora de la Providencia church, whose bell tower collapsed. An apartment building’s two-level parking lot also flattened onto the ground floor, smashing about 50 cars whose alarms and horns rang incessantly. A bridge just outside the capital also collapsed, and at least one car flipped upside down.

In the coastal city of Vina del Mar, the earthquake struck just as people were leaving a disco, Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa in Santiago. “It was very bad, people were screaming, some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them.”

Bachelet said she was declaring a “state of catastrophe” in 3 central regions of the country, and that while emergency responders were waiting for first light to get details, it was evident that damage was extensive.
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British Boy, Charlie Simpson Age 7, Raises $240,000 for Haiti Relief

Posted by: BuellBoy

Simpson's efforts have been described as 'bold' and 'innovative' by Unicef's UK executive director.

He’s no Wyclef Jean or George Clooney, but that hasn’t stopped seven-year-old Charlie Simpson from raising more than $240,000 (£150,000) for the Haiti earthquake. Simpson from Fulham, west London had hoped to raise just £500 for UNICEF’s earthquake appeal by cycling eight kilometers (five miles)around a local park.

Charlie Simpson

“My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives,” said Simpson on his JustGiving page, a fundraising site which launched his efforts.

“I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti,” he said.

Donate to Charlie Simpson’s Haiti fundraising page

And with that simple call, messages of support flooded the site.

Charlie's helpful little sister

“Such a big heart for a young boy, you’re a little star!” wrote one supporter. “Well done Charlie. A real celebrity,” said another. More donations began pouring in after the story caught the attention of the British media — with many cheering Simpson past the £100,000 mark.

Even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is spreading the message. His “Downing Street” Twitter alias said: “Amazed by response to the great fundraising efforts of 7 yr old Charlie Simpson for the people of Haiti.”

David Bull, UNICEF’s UK executive director described Simpson’s efforts as “very bold and innovative.” “It shows he connects with and not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti,” Bull said in a press statement.

The Simpson family

“The little seed — his idea — that he has planted has grown rapidly and his is a place well deserved in the humanitarian world. On behalf of the many children in Haiti, I thank Charlie for his effort.”

Money raised by Simpson will go towards UNICEF’s Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal which will provide water, sanitation, education, nutrition as well as support child protection.

Haiti Relief Coverage Main Page

“Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” Video highlights

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a night of great music and a show of support for the people of Haiti

Posted by: Audiegrl

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President Obama Signs Legislation Providing Immediate Tax Deductions for Haiti Charitable Contributions January 22, 2010.

President Obama Is Making It Easier for Americans to Support Haiti

In the days since the earthquake in Haiti, Americans have shown their generosity with millions of dollars in donations. Tonight, President Obama signed a bill into law that makes it easier to give. This legislation will allow taxpayers to receive the tax benefit from donations made to the Haiti effort in this tax season, rather than having to wait until they file their 2010 tax returns next year. Specifically, cash donations to charities for the Haitian relief effort given after January 11 and before March 1 of this year may be treated as if the contribution was made on December 31 of last year so that the contribution can be deducted from 2009 income. This measure applies to monetary donations, not goods or services.

Update of Performers and Participants in the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief Telethon

Posted by: Audiegrl

click here for video highlights from the show: 44-D

Friday’s multi-network “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” telethon will feature Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Stewart, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Robert Pattinson, Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Muhammad Ali, former President Bill Clinton and more than 100 of the biggest names in film, television and music.

The telethon, will air commercial-free across MTV, VH1, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, CMT, PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment Network, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, Centric, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, Epix, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health and Planet Green. Canada’s CTV, CBC Television, Global Television and MuchMusic also will air “Hope for Haiti,” as will BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International, making the event available in 640 million homes worldwide. ‘Hope for Haiti Now‘ will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China. The event will also be live streamed online across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com,VH1.com, and Rhapsody and on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and FloTV. Facebook and Twitter are the official social-media partners for the telethon.

All donations will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef’s Yele Haiti foundation. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme will also benefit from the telethon’s efforts, as aid will be split evenly among each organization’s relief programs for the ravaged island.

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A statement released Thursday detailed which musical artists would be featured from each location:

New York City, NY

• Wyclef Jean, hosting
• Madonna
• Sting
• Bruce Springsteen
• Mary J. Blige
• Jennifer Hudson
• Shakira

Los Angeles, CA

• George Clooney, hosting
• Justin Timberlake
• Christina Aguilera
• Alicia Keys
• Dave Matthews
• John Legend
• Stevie Wonder
• Taylor Swift
• Emeline Michel
• Group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow

London, England

• Beyoncé
• Coldplay
• Group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna

Port au Prince, Haiti

• Anderson Cooper, hosting

People can start donating even before the start of the 8 p.m. EST concert via phone and text.

The two-hour telethon will be shown on all the major networks and a host of other channels. It will be broadcast from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti.

“Hope for Haiti Now” will begin accepting donations at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT on Friday, January 22 via the following methods:

Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
Phone: 877-99-HAITI
Text: Text “GIVE” to 50555
Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Haiti Relief Coverage Main Page

TVOne: Roland S. Martin Goes off on Limbaugh and Robertson

Posted by: Audiegrl

And you thought Roland was pissed at Rush Limbaugh before?! He’s got a whole new reason to rant after Limbaugh and 700 Club’s Pat Robertson made some crazy statements regarding the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. See what Roland had to say.
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Haiti Relief Coverage Main Page

George Lopez Throws Benefit Concert For Disaster Relief: “Help Haiti with George Lopez and Friends”

Posted by: Audiegrl


A Personal Message from George…

The people of Haiti need our help. On Thursday, February 4th I am throwing a benefit concert, called “Help Haiti with George Lopez and Friends” at The Nokia Center, here in Los Angeles. The best musicians, comedians and athletes will be there for the cause, including my friends Andy Garcia, Slash and Samuel Jackson.

100% of the proceeds will go to directly to Haiti to help the victims and their families. Click here for more information on how to purchase tickets for “Help Haiti with George Lopez and Friends.”

If you can’t make it to the concert, you can still help. Lopez Tonight has teamed up with “CARE” to raise money. Click on the “CARE” logo to donate directly to relief efforts that will help the people of Haiti. And we will match the first 25,000 dollars that come from you.

Americans are the most generous people in the world. Your gift will help save lives. Let’s show Haiti how much we care.

Guests Include: Slash, Samuel L. Jackson, Andy Garcia, Kobe Bryant, Ray Romano, Larry David, Vanessa Hudgens, Cheech & Chong, Margaret Cho, Cedric the Entertainer, Cypress Hill, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Eva Langoria-Parker, Amber Veletta, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cheech and Chong, Cypress Hill, Los Lobos, and many more!

Tonight you can check out “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief”, LIVE Streamed and Blogged at 44-D’s tonight…January 22nd at 8PM EST. Join in and help out the people of Haiti.

Haiti Relief Coverage Main Page

American Red Cross: Pictures From Haiti

Dear GeoT

Thank you so much for your generous donation to help the people of Haiti following Tuesday’s earthquake.
I wanted to share with you some photos we’ve received from our staffers in Haiti, documenting the situation on the ground. The photos help to bring home the magnitude of the tragedy, and the importance of our ongoing support of Haitians in this time of crisis.
Take a look and if you can, share this with a friend. The earthquake victims need all the support we can give:

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As I write this, teams of Red Cross volunteers, staffers, and disaster management specialists are assisting rescue and relief operations. Massive shipments of supplies including tarps, cooking sets, and hygiene items are en route.

Our work is just beginning. Thank you again for making it possible.

Gail

Gail McGovern
President and CEO
American Red Cross

To donate to Haiti Earthquake relief click here:

Haiti Relief Coverage Main Page

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