I am sure you’ve all been watching the devastating death toll rise in Haiti. The 7.0 earthquake that shook the Haitians is among the most heartbreaking tragedies to hit the news. The Red Cross has been reporting that over 50,000 may have died total now because relief efforts have been so difficult to organize and much chaos has ensued since the quake hit.

I have been sitting here reading all the different ways we can help. I suggest to anyone to look into other charitable ways to help the Haitians, besides the typical mainstream options. I thought of how, yes, they need food, medical supplies and the basics right now. But let’s not forget about them in a week when a more popular news story breaks, which is what so often happens. The children will need new books, pencils and paper in a few months when their schools are rebuilt; hopefully it only takes a couple months.

So I ask you to please be thoughtful not just this week, but also in the weeks to come. I know everyone’s donating their dollar via text message now, but remember they’ll still need help next week, and the week after that, and for the next year.

Here is a place to start: http://www.hopeforhaiti.com/