I've been trying to post something about the disaster in Haiti and how horrific it is, encouraging folks to donate what they can to help out, but so far anything I've been able to come up with the write about the still-unfolding tragedy seems trite and pointless, honestly; what the hell can I say that's going to mean anything for the situation? Not knowing anybody from Haiti and having the good fortune to have my family safe & healthy, have a good job, and have a roof over my head, I find myself thinking, "well, not much." I can't say I know what it's like for the people there, because I've got no clue. I can't fathom what it must be like to lose your home, your family, and everything you own, all in one fell swoop. If nothing else, staring in dumbstruck horror at the pictures on the television the past several days has made me appreciate one thing even more -- I am very, very, very lucky.

And the way to show gratitude for that, to my mind, is to help less fortunate people however I can. I'll admit it, I make a decent paycheck, so I've donated already (to Oxfam, whom I like quite a bit) and will most likely donate again soon. I'll put some links below for folks to do the same, if they want, but tonight (today being Monday, January 18th) you Houstonians out there can help in a slightly different way.

How? Well, it turns out that the biggest names of H-town's hip-hop scene are doing their part up at Warehouse Live tonight, at a benefit they're calling Houston 4 Haiti. The lineup includes the stellar Bun B, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Candi Redd, Lil' O, Trae, Just Brittany, The Party Boys, ESG, Young Problems, Cory Mo, and several others I don't know about besides, all donating their time and talent to help out.

The ticket prices may seem a little steep -- $25 online or $30 at the door -- but 100% of the proceeds go to benefit CARE, who're a group I personally admire and respect. This is definitely a good cause, in my book. The show starts early, at 4PM, and reportedly runs 'til 8PM or so, so if you can get on over to the Warehouse this afternoon/evening, do it.

Big, big thanks, btw, to David over at Houston Calling; I would've missed this thing completely if it weren't for his post on it earlier today. Good one, man.

If you can't make it out tonight, of course, there's plenty of other places you can donate online; here's my personal list of groups I like:

• Oxfam
• ActionAid
• Doctors Without Borders
• Partners In Health
• Save the Children
• CARE
• Mercy Corps

Obviously, this isn't any kind of canonical list -- these are just groups I've supported in the past and that I think do good things. There're plenty of other groups that are trying to help and plenty of other ways to donate (Charity Navigator has a great list over here); do what you can.

Labels: Charitable Things, H-Town News, Musical Crap, Public Service Announcements, Things To Do

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