Earthquake Update

Haiti relief efforts following the January 12 earthquake are ongoing in spite of the topic’s absence from media headlines. Here are a few factoids to give you an idea of the work that has been done and the work that is still going on in the Caribbean country.

• $106.4 million has been spent or allocated to cover food, water, shelter, and health and family services
• Tents and tarps have been given to roughly half of the estimated 1.3 million homeless; work continues to provide emergency shelter for the remaining people by May 1
• Financial assistance and livelihood programs are in the works to help families and business owners recover from the disaster
• Overall the Red Cross has helped 1.9 million Haitians

But the work is far from over, and our efforts in Chile also continue after the devastating earthquake that occurred on February 27 causing damage to 500,000 homes.

Donors just like you make it possible to aide these countries during their time of need. By donating to your local American Red Cross, you can help those hit by disaster by helping us provide them with food, water, shelter and other emergency needs.

91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes toward our humanitarian efforts whether it is in Haiti or in your home town.

For more information on how you can make a difference by donating to the Red Cross, call 1-800 RED CROSS or visit redcross.org.

Rockin' for Haiti

Ratio presents the Red Cross with the $414 they raised at their show Saturday night.

Over the last two weeks millions of people have shown their compassion and support for those affected by the Haiti earthquakes, and this past Saturday a few more were added to the list. Local teen band Ratio, a classic rock cover band, raised $414 during a show to benefit Haiti at the Rudyard Kipling.

Although the band knew they were rallying for a good cause, they were even more touched by the disaster when an audience member announced her new niece was flying in from Haiti at that very moment, ending a three-year adoption wait.

Holly Stewart, Ratio lead singer and guitarist, said after the announcement by the soon-to-be aunt, the benefit turned into a celebration.

You can help people affected by disasters like the earthquake in Haiti by making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Call 1-800-REDCROSS, visit www.redcross.org or send a check or money order to:

American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013.

For more info on the band Ratio, visit http://www.myspace.com/ratio4to1.
Ratio is a Mom’s Music Band.


Ratio L-R: Joey Yazell-drums/back up vocals, Tyler Fenwick-bass/back up vocals, Holly Stewart-lead singer/rhythm guitar, and far right George Bjorvik-lead guitar/back up vocals