Mesa United Way Collecting Money for Haiti

East Valley Tribune, January 15, 2010

The Mesa United Way is providing a way for local residents to support reputable earthquake disaster relief efforts in Haiti. The nonprofit has created a Haiti relief fund that guarantees 100 percent of all donations will go directly to aid victims of the disaster, with no overhead expenses deducted.

"It's in our heritage as Americans to want to respond to suffering people wherever they are," T. Dan Wollam, vice president of Mesa United Way, said in a news release. "This doesn‘t detract from our mission here in Mesa, but we aren‘t a community unto ourselves. We are hurting when people in Haiti are hurting. We want to make it easier for people here to help."

Requests to send contributions to specific agencies will be honored but non-specified donations to the fund also are welcome. Mesa United Way is researching relief agencies that are involved in Haiti to ensure all donations are directed to "respectable and accountable organizations," the release said.

Ways to contribute:

• Send a check to Mesa United Way, 137 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201.

• Make a credit card donation by calling Mesa United Way at (480) 969-8601.

• Make a donation online by clicking here and choosing Haiti Emergency Relief Fund from the drop-down menu. 

Donations should be specified for the Haiti emergency relief fund.