Every little bit helps

Thank you to everyone who purchased a Knititude pattern between January 15th and February 15th!  I just made a donation of $272 (50% of net pattern sales during this period) to Partners in Health, to support their relief efforts in Haiti.

I remember some of the other times in the last few years when a natural disaster attracted the world's attention, and a great outpouring of aid:  the tsunami in Indonesia in 2004; Hurricane Katrina striking New Orleans in 2005; the earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy in 2009.  Each of these times I remember thinking that after a few months, the news attention died down, but the recovery and rebuilding was only just beginning in these areas. 

In addition, what of those who have been affected by only a "small" or "ordinary" disaster-- a few houses buried in a mudslide, a school roof collapse, a drought?  Was their loss any less painful, for being less newsworthy?  And then what of those affected by ongoing, mostly manmade disasters, such as the conflict in Sudan?  

This is why a couple of years ago my husband and I started contributing monthly to Doctors Without Borders/Medicins San Frontieres (and more recently, to Smile Train).  Even after the news cameras have moved on to the next story, there are still many people in need, in many parts of the world.  In addition, as the DWB website states, "Your monthly support as a Field Partner is a guarantee of regular and predictable funds, allowing us to respond immediately to emergencies."  Regular sources of support allow these organizations to plan ahead, to focus less on constant fundraising, and to respond more rapidly when their services are needed.  So I encourage anyone who wants to maximize the impact of their charitable gift to consider monthly donations*, in ANY amount!   

Doctors Without Borders/Medicins San Frontieres

Partners in Health

Smile Train

*Unfortunately many small and/or local charities do not offer this option.