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Relief Amidst the Grief
Torontoist reader Janos points us to the irony of talking about great DVD’s in the wake of so much tragedy. And indeed, as the numbers swell, and the destruction becomes more evident, TOist has been struck by the horror of it all. Yesterday, we debated whether Canada was doing enough, over a delicious tortiere, and the richness of it made us feel fortunate beyond belief. Canada has pledged over $4 million in aid, but how might we, the tortiere-eating individuals, do something to contribute?
CBC has a comprehensive list of relief agencies, to which one can donate.
And blogger Benjamin Rosenbaum has a Better Business Bureau-researched list of which charities are working most efficiently. Courtesy BoingBoing. (BoingBoing also has much tsunami blogosphere news, and discussions of Gov’t suppression of news)
Torontoist hopes for the safety of many family members of Canadians who are eagerly awaiting news of their loved ones.
– The American Institute of Philanthropy also has a page on how best to help tsunami victims. Most charities advocate ‘sending cash, not goods,’ but in subsequent weeks, there will likely be room for all sorts of donations.
– Thai Officials are reporting thirteen Canadians killed, but the Canadian ambassador to Thailand does not have the exact numbers.
– The Star says ‘don’t finger point,’ just help.
Further resources, thanks to Janos Pataki, by way of CP24:
– www.unicef.ca, or 1-877-955-3111. Donations can also be mailed in to UNICEF Canada, 2200 Yonge St., Suite 1100, Toronto, Ont., M4S 2C6.
– World Vision Canada
www.worldvision.ca, or call 1-800-268-5528.
– The Red Cross
www.redcross.ca, or 1-800-418-1111 – the 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa and Mastercard. You can also mail a cheque made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “South East Asia Earthquake and Tidal Wave Relief” to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. Donations of goods won’t be accepted.
– The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (C.C.O.D.P.)
www.devp.org, or 1-888-664-3387, or you can mail a cheque to Development and Peace, 5633 Sherbrooke St. East, Montreal, Que., H1N 1A3. The cheque should be marked “Tidal Wave Disaster.”
– Christian Children’s Fund of Canada Donations can be made at www.ccfcanada.ca following the link to “Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami Hit South Asia”. As well, donations can be marked as Earthquake and Tsunami Relief and sent by mail to: Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, 1027 McNicoll Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M1W 3X2.
– Oxfam Canada
www.oxfam.ca or 1-800-466-9326.
– Sri Lankan Relief Effort
First aid kits, tents, tarps, basic construction tools, small generators, portable radios, flashlights and clothing can be dropped off at the following locations:
210 Silver Star Bvd.,Unit 801, Scarborough, Ont. (416) 298-7289
780 Burnamthorp Rd., Unit 11, Mississauga, Ont. (647) 321-7188
– ShareLife
www.sharelife.org or (416) 934-3411 or toll-free at 1-800-263-2595.
– UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Send cheques to: Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund
c/o UJA Federation
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
4600 Bathurst St.
M2R 3V2
Beginning Dec. 30, payments can also be made on UJA’s website at www.jewishtoronto.com, or by calling 416-631-5705.
– Maha Vhara
(416) 208-9278.
– Also, you can make donations at any Toronto police station.
Photo: AP