My assistant Kathy told me today about donating to Haitian relief efforts by simply sending a text message from my cellphone. The Red Cross, via a company called mGive, has got the major U.S. carriers on board to allow people to very easily donate $10 to the Red Cross via a simple SMS text message.
This led to an “unprecedented mobile response,” and has raised over $10 million in relief for Haiti. With text donations peaking at a rate of 10,000 a minute, at $10 per donation, this is raising $100,000 per minute!
I had been watching the news about Haiti and was heartbroken at what they are going through. I wanted to help. But did I? Not until I just spent 27 seconds sending a text message.
Wanting to donate and actually donating are two different things. Finding the right charity, deciding the amount, finding my checkbook, writing a check, finding an envelope and stamp, addressing the envelope, mailing it – well frankly it was exhausting just typing all those steps. Not only that but I can’t even imagine finding 30 minutes in my day to actually do it! This new process cut that time down to less than 30 seconds!
[NOTE: If you want to donate simply text HAITI to the number 90999. A $10 charge will be added to your next cellphone bill.] (continue reading…)
