MSNBC has a good article here about the difference between good intentions and doing actual good. It’s tempting to want to give things like water or clothing, but the simple math is this:

“When people give $1, it translates into $7 in the field,” he said. “If they spend $5 for bottled water, that’s nice and it makes them feel good, but probably it costs us more than $5 to send it. If they give us $5, we can get $35 worth of water.”

Our friends over at Plant with Purpose/Floresta are also starting to do relief work as people leave the big city to find refuge with friends and family in rural villages. Learn more through their blog. Donate here.

Another organization we recommend is World Vision. If you came to our global cafe in 2008, you probably remember that our benefit helped their disaster relief work in China.

There are plenty of other organizations doing good work. Look for one that has a positive reputation and a good track record in Haiti. But most importantly don’t be paralyzed by bad feelings. Move ahead and do something appropriate and genuinely helpful.

- Ted

Mrs. Nan Mary is 44 years old and a grocery seller. Nan Mary has been selling her goods since early 2005 and normally earns US$ 2.50 a day to feed her family. She is married with four children, all four of whom are no longer in school. All four of her children are employed: two are workers in Malaysia and one is a garment worker in Phnom Penh.

As another source of family income, her husband’s business provides a taxi service. Nan Mary is taking out her loan to accumulate more grocery inventory to sell and to repair her old house. Note: Nan Mary’s was not available when the photo was taken, so her husband is pictured instead.

Check it out here.

More to come in 2010. Happy New Year everyone!

Our December 18th art and crafts show will help raise a microloan that will be given through Kiva.org. Spread the word.

Art, Holiday Cards, Crafts, Live Music, Food, and Coffee.

ARTISTS
Chandana Paravastu – painter
Morris Molina – painter
Jennifer Dedonato – Colorfly Studios
April Tsui – Atsui Cards
Rebecca Benitez – Painter
T.K. Ahn – cards, painter
Dune Micheli-Patten - painter
Adriana Whitney - Adri’s Art, Folk

DIRECTIONS: Google Map is slightly off.
Westbound I10: Exit Bingle. L on Bingle. R on W Memorial Park. L at guardhouse. R into parking lot.
Eastbound I10: Exit Bingle. R on Memorial Park Drive. L into the parking lot at the end of the street.

View Larger Map

UPDATE: 12/4

Come out for the Preview during the lunch hour, 11AM to 1PM.

We’re trying something new for November. Come out for a fun night of Western Swing (Two Stepping with Turns)! Doors open at 7:30PM. Instructors from SSQQ Dance Studios will be teaching from 8:00 - 9:30 PM. Admission is $9, $7 if you bring at least 4 canned food items. Donations are going to the Houston Food Bank.

UPDATE 11/25: Photos from Western Swing

Here are some photos from our last event. We’re gearing up for our next event on November 20th. We’re getting ready to host events on the 3rd Friday of each month. Our next dates will be November 20th and December 18th. Stay tuned for our calendar of causes and events…

Here’s a list of collaborators coming out for the event tomorrow night.

LIVE PAINTING AND GALLERY: TK Ahn, Ayad Fadel, Morris Molina, Chandana Paravastu, Rebecca Benitez

SHORT FILMS: Bradley Jackson, Andrew Lee, Art Hooker

LIVE MUSIC: Olivette

FOOD: Blue Planet Cafe, It’s A Grind, Berripop

Doors Open at 7PM.  We are opening at a new location and introducing our new calendar of events and causes.

Raffle Giveaways from Which Wich, Dave & Busters, Freebirds, Quiznos, Sweet Tomatoes, Academy, and Saltgrass.

Our next event will be on October 16th, 7 to 11PM. Come visit our new space at 8570 Katy Freeway, #116. More details are coming soon.