Who's Helping Haiti

dated 2010-01-26 | posted in columns | topic Charity | permanent link

As if Haiti doesn’t have enough problems of its own, now it’s become a magnet for low-life American men to give their money and their time too, apparently hoping that their generosity will wipe their unfaithfulness out of people’s minds. Take Tiger Woods for example: he hasn’t surfaced since late November but has recently donated 3 million dollars to Haiti relief. He’s been generous before, giving hundreds of thousand to Katrina and to tsunami relief. But his latest donation also makes me wonder if he isn’t trying to do some sort of financial penance, at least for a worthwhile cause. Some men I’ve talked to about Tiger’s infidelity say, “So what?” When I heard a few like this I stopped inquiring on the male side, especially the golfers who only lament that Tiger’s absence has left a hole in golf´s once vibrant life. Women have different responses, of course. Then there’s the former North Carolina Senator and also a past US Presidential hopeful, John Edwards . One day he came clean and admitted that the “ love child” was his and the next day flew to Haiti to help clean up there. Would he have been better off cleaning up his own mess at home? The CNN cameras focused a whole day on him, instead of on the victims who are struggling to rebuild their shambled lives. Bill Clinton had already been named by Obama as Special Envoy to Haiti. When we see images of him there, they seem all to the good. His dalliances are far in the past and Hillary appears less like a victim than a winner. She’s doing a superb job as US Secretary of State. Maybe Bill missed his own limelight?

Closer to home, the cook at my neighborhood Mayura Indian Restaurant, excellent in native food and favored by foreigners, approached me the other day. “ We want to do something for Haiti,” he said. Within a day the project emerged: Dining for Haiti will take place on Sunday evening, February 7 at 7.30 pm. The idea is to fill the restaurant with people for the cause of Haitian relief. The cook explained his idea further: “One half of all people spend on food and drinks that evening will be donated to Haiti relief.” I was thrilled by his idea and yes, embarrassed that I hadn’t thought of some way to help other than making an anonymous donation. I’ve read about other active efforts to help: A Minnesota couple gave away money that they saved for their wedding. Chelsea Clinton hosted a spinning class in New York with front-row "seats" going for $1,000. The New York Times commented “So, why do we open our wallets for strangers, like Haitian earthquake survivors? Is it out of empathy? Guilt? Compassion? Or something else? Experts say these kinds of acts, which make people feel like they're part of something larger, are energizing and emotionally rewarding. In addition, studies have shown that when people get together and cooperate to do good deeds, it leads to positive feelings. Regardless of your motivation, please support the Dining for Haiti initiative. All nationalities and ages are welcome. Bring your friends! Reservations are being accepted now: patwestheimer@gmail.com