100,000 or so dead they say. Will you be making any charitable donations to help out the Haitians?

If so, have you ever donated to help the less fortunate in your own country?

Do you think they had it coming for that deal they made with the 200 years ago?

I will be donating to the univerity's Hatian fund drive, probably 20 dollars or so. I also donate several hundred dollars to the Salvation Army thoughout the year for local needs

I give to AIDS groups in Africa. I would like to find a good charity to support that helps Americans. I keep seeing all these reports about humanitarian aid rushing to Haiti, and I keep thinking about all the needy and neglected right here at home.

I have always preferred the Salvation Army, they do their work quietly but effectively and spend more of the money they collect on their work than any other.

Despite the billions we have given them over the last 30 years the place looked like Godzilla hit it even before the earthquake so if someone is going to give, please give to an organization that won't place the money in the hands of their government as it will go to building lavish presidential palaces...again.

I gave here: crs.org and while I know that it's not everyones cup of tea find something similar.

Not the time, I know, but the bright side is that they might have the blank slate to remake their country. They should be a Caribbean paradise yet their major exports are refugees and 16th century disease.

I always think this. Not so much about the people on welfare and food stamps, but what about the Katrina and Rita victims? Or the fires in California? Or the Vets? There was a special on 60 minutes last week about the Vets not being able to get claims processed, say if they hurt themselves in war, they're unable to get claims processed and/or it's taking years for them to get a settlement. Which I think is complete insanity. They should be the top priority.

Yes, it's devastating what happened in Haiti and yes, I agree America can be helping some. But where were theses "text lines" (you know, the ones 'text HAITI to 90999 and donate') when Katrina hit?

And I agree with Busted, if you're to give, give to an organization that will actually help them. I think the Red Cross is a good one to donate to, if you're going to.

I know. When my dad was in the Coast Guard in the late 50's, Haiti was a cesspool, and it hasn't gotten much better. There is a lot of money there, but like busted said, the government is so corrupt that nothing makes it out of the hands of a few people. I think the US is in a great position to encourage Haiti to clean its act up during the rebuilding. Here is hoping.

I don't have the money to donate so I tend to actually donate my time to causes. I used to work for the Salvation Army as a social worker and volunteered there as well before and after I worked there. I do give change to them during the bell ringing season when I go in and out of stores as well.

Then there is my whole VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) thing. I am given a basic living stipend by the government. I am assigned to a non-profit and I do the work of someone that would normally get paid $30,000+ a year to do the same job.

Someday if my plans work out I will join the Peace Corps. In between now and then I will continue to volunteer here in my own country.

I find it sad that there are people out there that have never volunteered before in their lives. I also seriously think that anyone who gets any type of welfare should be required to spend a certain number of hours volunteering at a non-profit every week. If they aren't going to get a job then they should do SOMETHING to better other people's lives.

So I will one up PK...When is the last time you donated your time to an organization?

I don't believe it is "sad" to work so hard that you have disposable income to donate to charity but not the time to volunteer. In fact I believe that the system needs both (volunteers and donors). I similarly disagree with your idea of welfare recipients donating time to a non-profit. In theory it might sound wonderful but here on earth politics gets involved. Besides, there already two armie of welfare recipients manning the ranks at a non-profit. It's called ACORN and the DNC.

The moment you compel volunteerism is loses its meaning. What I am saying is that I would rather have a half dozen people giving their time because they are passionate about the cause than 50 people who are there because the checks stop coming if they don't. Sounds like the DMV or Russia to me.

In that, busted, we agree. I don't like it when schools require a certain about of volunteer hours to graduate. I am not a volunteer. I just, honestly, don't want to do it and don't see myself ever doing it. Some people are just that way.

"Angry Haitians block roads with corpses"

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60D6F920100114

in the city i work in several years ago the black community was pissed off about some court ruling against a local "football star" who certainly wasn't guilty of whatever he was charged with. they had a nice little riot and, among other things, burned down a store in their own neighborhood that was owned by a man from india (i think). turns out this man had allowed the residents around him credit for years. when they burned him out they had no where to turn for help. sadly the elderly fared the worst. their ss checks just got them by with the generosity of this man.

just as in that neighborhood their are good and bad people everywhere. but the stupidest thing ever is blocking roads with dead people (not just corpses, persons) because you want a faster response. lets go get every respectful person there and leave the rest to feed on each other.

btw i'd like to read about this alleged deal with the devil. not pat robertson please. hes an idiot.

I give to IU and UT and donate and help manage a scholarship fund in the name of a former mentor of mine who passed away. I feel much better giving my money to organizations where I have a greater understanding of the cash flow. So to answer the question, I will most likely not give to the Haitian charities.