Just curious to see what everybody's opinions are in the effort to help the victims. I know people have so many views on donating to other countries. Right now it's an issue at our office and I just want to see what you think.

I have donated to a number of organizations for this effort, as I would hope (but not require) that others would do for me in a disaster that affected me.

God doesn't expect me to have geographic boundaries, in my personal opinion.

I have also made a personal donation. Yes, it is another country, but they are human beings first and foremost and they need the help right now.

Before you give to any organization, check here to make sure that most of the money actually gets to those who need it. Many charities eat up your donation with administrative expenses.

http://www.charitynavigator.org

Z- thanks for that website. I was glad to see that my charity of choice had a high rating. I bookmarked it for the future.

Wow. I have been donating to Healing Hands International for years, and was shocked looking at that site to find that they appear to be one of the most efficient of all charities! I just liked the name and what they did!

I donated to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. Those poor people need help. I have resources to provide a little relief. What's the issue?

Charitable contributions are a big part of my personal Christmas celebration, but this came immediately after I made them this year and I was relatively tapped out. Like Corky, I gave to Red Cross International and UNICEF. Oddly, I didn't have a strong rationale for those choices or even an explanation for splitting my gift rather than giving it all to one. I just wanted to get the money in the mail ASAP. I'm glad to see both have solid efficiency ratings.

It's apparent there will be a number of orphans. I don't know how adoption figures into the various cultures involved; i.e. whether it is acceptable. However, one of our daughters is adopted from China and I know from experience there are many, many Americans anxious to adopt children from overseas. The organizations that facilitate those adoptions will need some help. Moreover, funds from the current donations have to be being consumed at an incredible rate - there will be more appeals in the future.

Heaven forgive me if I turn this into a political thread, but I'm proud of our country's reaction to date. If it's something that we as a people think is right, the emphasis should be on the fact that we help, not our government. Nevertheless, it's the military that can mobilize and deploy essential resources in the shortest period of time. It's ironic that the tools of war are readily adaptable to responding to a disaster.

I'm not sure of the adoption culture in these particular countries, Ken, but we had an American speaker at a luncheon I attended who spoke of many years of living in Saudi Arabia. One of the American couples in the compound adopted a child and brought that child back to SA. They had a great deal of difficulty being allowed to bring the child into the country. The Saudis didn't understand the concept of adoption. They didn't understand why the child's family didn't take care of it if the parents were unable. Since this is primarily a Muslim area and the Saudis are primarily Muslim, I would think the attitudes would be similiar. I don't know what they will think about those children who have NO family left to turn to.

My Bank has decided to start up an employee collection effort and has stated they will match dollar for dollar for all employee contribiutions. Proceeds going to Red Cross Disaster Relief. I believe I was the first one in with my check, it was a no-brainer.

We can donate to the United Way by payroll deduction. You get to decide which agency will receive your funds. I donate to the American Red Cross. I decided on this agency after my daughter worked with them (thru Americorp) during Modesto floods back in 96 or 97. She still proclaims what wonderful things the American Red Cross can accomplish.