iRelief

It’s been a long few weeks, but relief efforts continue as if the quake hit yesterday.  We thought that we’d update you as to what is going on from our end of things.

Shoes were collected today from different areas on the West Virginia University campus.  The shoes were gathered over the last few days as a joint effort by iRelief and WVU’s Dollars for Disaster program.  Let’s just say — the response was overwhelming, and we are able to fill a U-Haul with the student donations.  Exact donation information is still in the works, but Soles for Souls seems to be the “go-to group” when it comes to shoe donations.  More details will emerge as the donation plans are made.

From a representation standpoint, we are no longer doing work in the name of Yele.  After the negative reports hit, which have since been cleared up, Yele made a wise decision to keep their work “in house”.  We respect that decision, but plan to switch gears a little bit to compensate.  Not only will you find information about Yele, but we will be adding all of the “spoken-for” charities to the site.  This update should happen over the next week, and will help to also reflect our relief goals as a whole, not just with Haiti.

As part of our partnership with West Virginia University, we have had a chance to relay messages to tens of thousands of students.  Take a look at this article from the WVU campus that talks about Matt Sunday, an iRelief founder, and what he has been doing help Haitian relief and sustainability.

Wyclef and Yele held a press conference today (1.18.10) to talk about what is going on in Haiti.  Wyclef expressed an issue that needed to be handled with the utmost urgency.  “Port au Prince is a morgue.”

He went on to say that an “exodus” had to occur.  Not only out of Port au Prince, but into the 21st century.  He expressed that tents had to be set up to move 100,000 people away from the city, and into safety.

Wyclef also said that security had to be established to make sure that relief is equally provided, and that gangs can’t control the aid.

The full replay of the press conference can be watched below.

Tonight, (1.18.2010), Game Rebellion is making their debut EP release concert a benefit for Haiti.  Portions of the ticket price and CD sales will be donated to Yele.org.  These guys are making their effort to try and better Haiti, and I urge everyone to go and support their cause.  Netic has even informed me that he intends on going to Haiti after their series of shows.

TONIGHT (1.17.2010), there is a large relief concert happening in Los Angeles.  The show is presented by the LAX Paperboys, hosted by Devi Dev of KDAY, and has several artists performing.  The event is being held at the Echoplex, and is an 18+ affair.  The suggested donation is $20, and all proceeds are going toward Yele’s Earthquake Relief Alliance.  Attend and help our friends in Haiti as they fight for survival.

This Wednesday (1.20.10), special after work-mixer has been organized in New York City’s Stay Lounge to provide relief in Haiti.  Admission for the event is free, but donations (monetary and pre-paid cellphones!) will be collected.   All of the earnings from the event are being donated to Yele.

Stay Lounge can be located at:

244 East Houston St.
New York, NY 10009

There is a special event being held at Club Primal (960 Spring Street N.W. Atlanta, GA 30309) in Atlanta.  The event features DJ Exact, Smurf 3000 and others.  The event has a $5.00 donation cost, and they will also be collecting medical supplies to donate through The Red Cross and Yele.

There is a collection scheduled for today, 1.17.2010.  Yele has partnered with FedEx and Airline Ambassadors to bring a special emergency airlift to the people of Haiti.  The collection is from 9 AM until 3 PM, and is located at:

Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132-1608

Special benefit concert going on this Monday (1.18.10) at the 9:30 Club.

The event host is Chris Cole from BET’s College Hill, and features performances by:

Wale

DC Don Juan

Tabi Bonney

several others

with DJ Alizay

Mixmasters Crew is working with JJ’s Cafe in Philadelphia to generate donations and awareness for Yele’s Haiti Earquake Relief Fund.  JJ’s is located at 1065 Erie Ave (J ST & Erie Ave) Phila. Pa 19124.  The event is 1.17.2010 from 9 PM until 2 AM.  There is a karaoke time slot from 9 until 11, so head to JJ’s, donate to Yele ($5 minimum), and sing some Wyclef for support.

We are happy to announce that Haitian V’s birthday party has become a benefit night for Haiti.  The event is being held TONIGHT! Friday the 15th of January, and is located on 1623 Flatbush Ave between Aves H and I.  From 6 until midnight, they will be open to accept donations.  Money will be accepted, but so will goods and clothing.  Representatives have informed us that members of several relief organizations will be on hand, and they are expecting a great turnout.

Once midnight hits, Haitian V’s birthday party will officially begin.  A $20 ticket price is on the event, and $10 (all profits) will be donated to Haiti.  Please note that any donations made beyond the ticket price, or during the collection event, will be donated in their full amount.

Our hearts go out to Haitian V, his representatives, and their families as we work through this tough time.  Thank you for all that you are doing.