As we all know, the devastation in Haiti is tremendous in numerous ways. The shear loss of life is staggering at best, estimates are somewhere around 200,000+ loss of life, and over 300,000+ injured. Over 700,000 in Port Au Prince have been displaced.

The logistics of getting help and humanitarian supplies to those needing them, is riddled with so many holes and gaps that it is not believable. Not to even broach the fact of displaced children that are now without parents, and those that were in the process of being adopted just prior to this devastating quake. Kathleen Strottman, executive director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, estimates that there were more than 900 orphans in the process of being adopted into American homes when the quake struck.

So what can we do, to help Haiti and those that are so desperatly in need there? Direct donations of money to help organizations that have a presence in Haiti now is going to be the best primary way of effecting a positive change. Donations of food, clothing, medicine etc… of course will help, but please remember that there are the logisitics of getting those items from here to there. And the costs involved to do so.
Featured Help Resources

We are proud to present these help resources to you, as outstanding examples of those that care about the world around them.

Please take time to visit their sites, and help support them in their endeavors to help others. Together we can all make a difference one person at a time. If you would like your organization featured here, make sure to SUBMIT IT HERE.

Operation Safe

About them: Jonathan Wilson, founder of OperationSafe, has spent over 20 years in humanitarian efforts. Currently, his latest project, OperationSafe, has been involved with helping children who have been in trauma either because of wars, natural disasters, poverty, or abuse.

http://www.helpresources.net/operationsafe/

The Salvation Army

About them: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

Haiti Outreach

About them: The Mission of Haiti Outreach

“To collaborate with the people of Haiti to build and maintain community-initiated projects that advance their development.”

This is how we operate – this is what we do – in order to bring this vision into reality. Each part of our mission statement is very important in describing what we do:
We collaborate with the people of Haiti – We work with neighbors, community groups, local governments and the national government in rural Haiti as well as more populated areas.
We build and maintain projects – A crucial aspect of our projects is that they are created to be sustainable on a long-term basis. Our projects are thus designed to develop Haiti, not just provide relief. Community groups use the economy, the exchange of money for services, to sustain these projects so that they are not dependent on us for their maintenance and repair. Even though most people are very poor, they contribute something for the services they receive. These funds are saved by the community, supervised publicly with transparency, to be used as needed for the project’s upkeep.
Projects are community-initiated – Our projects are initiated by the people in these communities, not by us. Community participation and responsibility continues throughout the entire life of any project, from beginning to end, and then beyond.

Our work to date has been in the three major areas of clean water, education, and economic development. We collaborate with many other organizations on our projects and hope to expand our services to include agriculture, medical services, and infrastructure such as roads and electricity.

http://www.haitioutreach.org/

Here are some other listings of help organizations for Haiti relief;
Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420
Agape Flights, 941-584-8078
Airline Ambassadors International, 866-264-3586
American Red Cross, 800-733-2767
American Refugee Committee, 800-875-7060
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 212-687-6200
American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900
AmeriCares, 800-486-4357
Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403
B’nai B’rith International, 202-857-6600
CARE, 800-521-2273
CarmaFoundation
Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467
Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328
Church World Services, 800-297-1516
Clinton Foundation, 501-748-0471
Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
Concern Worldwide, 212-557-8000
Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998
Cross International, 800-391-8545
CRUDEM Foundation, 413-642-0450
CRWRC, 800-55-CRWRC
Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767
Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392
Episcopal Relief and Development, 800-334-7626
Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919
Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104
Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694
Friends of the Orphans, 312-386-7499
Habitat for Humanity, 1-800-422-4828
Haiti Children, 877-424-8454
Haiti Foundation Against Poverty
Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770
Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357
Healing Hands for Haiti, 651-769-5846
Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183
International Child Care, 800-722-4453
International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462
International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433
International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979
Islamic Relief USA, 888-479-4968
Lions Club International Foundation, 630-203-3836
Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972
Medical Benevolence Foundation, 800-547-7627
Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325
Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634
Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676
Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900
Mission of Hope Haiti, 816-246-7774
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 800-306-9950
New Life for Haiti, 815-436-7633
Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537
Operation USA, 800-678-7255
Oxfam, 800-776-9326
Partners in Health, 617-432-5298
RHEMA International, 248-652-9894
Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552
The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769
Samaritan’s Purse, 828-262-1980
Save the Children, 800-728-3843
ShelterBox
UN Central Emergency Response Fund
UNICEF, 800-367-5437
United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583
World Concern, 800-755-5022
World Hope International, 888-466-4673
World Relief, 800-535-5433
World Vision, 888-511-6548
Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552

Or you can text a donation to the following organizations;
Text the word “HAITI” to “90999″ to donate $10 to the Red Cross.
Text the word “QUAKE” to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
Text the word “GIVE” to 25383 to donate $10 to the MTV telethon.
Text “HAITI” to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee.
Text “HAITI” to 85944 to donate $10 to the International Medical Corps.
Text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Haiti foundation.
Text “HAITI” to 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army.
Text “HOPE10″ or “UNICEF” to 20222 to donate $10 to UNICEF.
Text “HABITAT” to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity.
Text “OXFAM” to 25383 to donate $10 to Oxfam America, Inc.
Text “HAITI” to 40579 to donate $10 to the National Religious Broadcasters.
Text “SAVE” or “SAFE” to 20222 to donate $10 to the Save the Children Federation, Inc.
Text “GIVE” or “WORLD” to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision, Inc.
Text “CARE” to 24383 to donate to CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc.
Text “AJWS” to 25383 to donate $10 to the American Jewish World Service.

I have got to say that I am so very happy with what we have accomplished in 2009, but am so very excited for the new year of 2010.

In 2009 I was able to finally get this site together the way I wanted it to be, and got some great resource information propagated through out the site.  And to think, I really only started working on the site back in June and July of 2009. So in July is when I started promoting the site and what it was about. I signed up for many different networking sites, but focused most heavily on two in particular. Those were our facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/helpresources and our twitter presence: http://www.twitter.com/helpresources

This was really my first foray into social networking sites, so I really did not know what to do or what to expect. And I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised at the results from both of those sites. Our facebook page has almost 1800 friends on it now, which in my humble opinion is phenomenal growth for a FB account. And our twitter account is closing in on 900 followers as I type this.

Something that I have learned in that short amount of time, and would be advice I would give anyone trying to use those networking sites to help drive hits to their sites, and actually “network” with people and organizations that have like interests would be this.

Be sincere and passionate. People can tell if you really are passionate about what it is that you are doing, or if you are just so so about your cause.  And they can tell very quickly if you are actually out there to help others, or if you are hoping to sneak in some links here and there to earn some click through revenue.

Be interactive and listen. For any of you that have been in sales there is a well known rule out there. Listen more than you talk. And this is not easy. I fell into the “ohhhh, I have a great cause, I need to spam the heck out of it and people will follow” through a lack of understanding, as well as allowing my passion for what I was doing just burst out and boil over. Its easy to get into the habit of just spamming out info about you and your cause, and not interact with others. But you will find that if you interact with those you follow and those that follow you, you will get a tremendous amount of positiveness out of those interactions. And you will build trust and bonds with those around you, which means what you have to say holds even more merit. And will likely be viewed and acted upon at a much higher percentage than before, when all you did was just spam your info out there.

The more you interact with others, the more you will find that they are willing to take of their time and promote you and your cause. And this is an invaluable resource, one that a monetary value just can not be put on.

So we found many great connections with like minded organizations out there. And what is so great is to see these folks that are specializing in their particular areas, doing such great work for others. And making a difference on a day to day basis for others. It really warms my heart to know that I can help them spread the word about the work they are doing, and in turn help people by getting them in touch with these great organizations.  And this has happened several times for us in 2009.

I had the honor of helping out several people, for a variety of needs. Helping them keep their utilities on, food on their tables and a roof over their heads. I can count on 2 hands the amount of folks I have helped, and in the 4 months that the site was really up and running, that may not sound like very much accomplished. But I will tell you this, just knowing that I helped one person/family made it all worth while. Much less several, which is just even more icing on the cake for me.

Our “hits” and overall traffic to the site has increased tremendously. Our unique visitor count has increased 5 fold in a short time frame. And overall hits, we now get anywhere from 2,000 to 11,000 hits a day on the site. Our Alexa.Com ranking is great and getting better and better all the time. What all this  information tells me is this; people are finding useful information on our site and are coming back over and over.

So I feel very good about what we have accomplished, and have a great out look on where we are going with HelpResources. My dream is still to one day be able to afford to just work on this site full time, and make as much positive impact on others lives as humanly possible.

For those of you who have given me so much encouragement I want to take this time to thank you, without your kind words and encouragement I do not think I could have gotten as far as I have with this site. I hope everyone has a blessed and prosperous New Year. Just keep close to your heart your goals and dreams, never let them go. And you will meet up with those goals and dreams sooner than you think.

~ Frank

With Christmas right around the corner, we ask that those of you who are having it good this year, to think about giving to a few of those that are not having it as good. Its not hard to look around and find a deserving child or family that you can help.

Just think of it this way. You could go out to a really nice dinner and spend $100 or more there, for a one time (and brief) moment of enjoyment for yourself. Or you could go out 1 time less for the month, and take that money and put a smile on several childrens faces. And the feeling of giving such joy to a little one, well that in its own will last much longer than a night on the town. Perhaps instead of toys, you could buy some groceries for a family and give to them directly, so you know the money is not wasted. Heck, pay $100 towards their electric bill for them. Think outside the box folks, there are lots of ways to help others.

For those of you needing help, there are lots of resources out there for you. Look to your local churches, red cross, and salvation army. Call up your local city hall and ask them about what local organizations are giving out toys for children, or help with utilities if that is what you are needing.

What I am getting at is this; Show some concern and compassion for someone this Christmas, and you will have more of a positive impact on someone elses life, than you may ever be able to comprehend.

One act of random kindness. That is all it takes to set the example and raise the bar. And who knows, that one child or person that you show an act of kindness to, might very well take that example and allow it to change their lives greatly. You never know, that child could grow up to be the next president of the United States. You just never know.

~Frank

I am currently working on some updates to the site to help streamline the site, and tidy it up a bit.

You will find the navigation cleaner, and less clutter on the site. As we are growing, and more resource submissions are made, it is very easy to inundate one particular area with an “excess” of information. So to that end, I am trying to clean up each of the areas, and create subareas as needed.

Please bear with me, and I hope you enjoy the new reworked site.

~Frank

We have just launched our new forums. Please take the time to set up a user account and say hello.

This area is designed for people seeking help to be able to post their needs. Folks that know of help resources, can post that info there too. And any non-profits can post up their organizations information there also.

We will sort and create categories as the posts start flowing.

http://helpresources.net/forums/public/

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is time for a little introspection. Many of us are facing some of the hardest times in our lives, not knowing where the next pay check will come from or how we are going to pay the rent. Which can make it even harder to find something to be grateful for. So it is at times like this, that we have to dig deep and refocus on what is important.

So please take this time to reflect on the positives in your life, no matter how few and far between they may be. Take to heart the good things that have happened in your life, as well as holding close to your heart those that care for you. So many times we take our friends, family and loved ones for granted. We just assume they will always be there for us, to hold us up during those hard times and give us praise when we deserve it and a kick in the butt when we need it. Well, that’s not always the case. So stop taking for granted what you have been given, or expect to be given.

Treat each day as the gift that it is, and move on with a positive attitude towards tomorrow. And give thanks for the little things in life, all that stuff we take for granted each day. Instead, go to that friend or family member and give them a big hug. Tell them thanks for all that they mean to you, let them know they are important. Spend the day with your child, show them you give thanks that they are your child and how lucky you are to be their parent.

~Frank

Different is Good

Date: 11/12/2009
Author: Frank Elder

Why do we allow small differences to come between us all the time? We know we are each different, we are each “individuals”. So even knowing that, why do we allow ourselves to be so unable or unwilling to accept differences in others?

It’s something that has been going on forever and half a day. Having issue with others due to their differences seems to be the norm, the status quo, for so many people. Is that because they are so short sighted? Was this the way they were raised, and know no different? Is it because of some sort of genetic marker that makes us human, that we can not accept others and their differences?

I don’t know if there really is an easy answer to these questions. But what I do know is that we have to change. And I am not naive enough to think that it is something that can happen overnight, and without great sacrifice and tribulation.

Until we can look at one another and get over the fact that the other person is a different color, speaks a different language, wears different clothes, has different sexual preferences etc…, we only hamper and stagnate our growth as human beings.

We have forgotten what a wonderful treasure it is to be different. And it is a treasure because it is what makes us successful, it is what makes us resilient and gives us the ability to overcome obstacles that are put in front of us on a daily basis. It is what makes us who we are.

So, I guess what I am getting at is this. Cherish the differences in others, look for the positives, and help bolster that which is good in those around you. And know that the differences that make you unique and who you are should be cherished as well. Be yourself.

Points of Light
8/16/2009

Author: Frank Elder

In physics, the speed of light (usually denoted c) is a fundamental physical constant, the speed at which light and all electromagnetic radiation travel in a perfect vacuum, which is 299,792,458 meters per second (about 300,000 kilometers per second or 186,000 miles per second). This constant is significant in the understanding and study of relativity, space-time, astronomy, space travel, and other fields.

But in our everyday world, what is light? And how does it affect each of us? Well, without light there wouldn’t be much life around would there? It provides us sustenance and endless amounts of energy. What a wonderful thing right?

We hear terms such as; “A thousand points of light” or “There is always a light at the end of the tunnel” used frequently. Personally I like the tunnel one, but with a slight change; “Sometimes that oncoming light in the tunnel, isn’t always an train!”. I tend to use that a lot myself.

Looking at the term “points of light” in a very generic way, gives way to certain insights about us, you know, the human race.

We are all unique and individual, no two so similar as to never be able to have their individuality taken from them. Even an exact twin, is unique in his or her own way. And if you know them well enough, you know one apart from the other.

Each of us carries within ourselves a certain light, a certain “energy” if you will. And that inward light is as unique as our outward selves. Full of flaws as well as perfections. Sometimes that light though is hidden more in one, than another.

And that is sad. When a person allows their inner light to be shadowed, or dimmed in any fashion. That is a loss, to all those around them. Because I firmly believe that each of us have a beautiful inner light, that when allowed, will shine down on others and warm their souls in return.

Each of us have this inner light, of that I can gurantee you. It is wether or not you allow your inner light to shine, and shine brightly. Do not allow others to tell you that you have nothing to contribute, and are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. They lie, and worst yet, they try to shadow your inner light.

Every light is unique. And it is those unique qualities that add so much to the world. Prejudice against ones origin, ones skin color, ones sex, ones sexual preference, ones age, so on and so fourth, is just that. Pure and plain prejudice and narrow mindedness.

We need to look beyond the shallow things, and look further. View others as you would view a star in the sky, as a bright and shiny ray of light, which holds so much fascination and wonder. As well as potential.

If we start viewing those around us in a better light, we are selves will be viewed in a better light. And then all of a sudden, those little lights will come together to form stars and suns. And the warmth of love and concern will flow at the speed of light, covering all those in its path. Shinning a light on their path, and continuing the process.

~ Frank Elder

All the Time in the World

Date: 8/15/2009
Author: Frank Elder

Einstein’s theory of relativity brings fourth the assumption that time goes more slowly in higher gravitational fields. This is called gravitational time dilation. And in addition; frame-dragging, in which a rotating mass “drags along” the space time around it.

So what does this mean to those of us, just trying to get by day to day? Well, honestly not much. But what is time? Why are we so preoccupied with its passing, and its direction? If we can not control the future, why are we concerned so much with how it will play out?

The past worries us as a whole, and it is something that brings us great sorrow daily. Even though we can not change the past, we look towards it to change our future and shape the paths we take. And for that reason, the past also gives us great hope for the future.

We have as a society, become very much about the “me” and the “moment”. Many of us live our days, hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute. We look at the time we have available to us and really do not give it much of a thought. We think we have plenty of time available to us, to do tomorrow, what we could have done today.

Time is not infinite, at least in our corporeal states that we reside now. Every moment we have is a blessing, and should be treated as such. But so many times we are dealing with the stress of living life, and allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by everything going on around us.

Getting back to the “its all about me” thing. It truly saddens me when I see someone neglecting the simplest actions of showing concern for those around them. For example, just holding a door open for someone. Does it matter you held the door open for someone older, younger, a different sex, same sex, an unknown sex? If the answer to that question is yes, then why does it matter? Why should it matter? What is truly dictating your actions, and whether or not you show someone the simplest action of kindness?

A positive attitude and concern for those around you are a state of mind. Nothing else, it is actually that simple. It takes no time, to show one person an act of kindness in a day’s time. And most all of us interact with others to one degree or another during a day’s time, so we each have the ability to take that step forward and show someone even the simplest acts of kindness.

Time has no meaning to us, even though we each profess a desire to have more of it and more control of this invisible force. And why do I say it has no meaning to us? Because we do not treat it as the precious commodity that it actually is. Because we either do not care about its passing, or are so consumed with slowing its pace, we just have lost its meaning.

And with this loss, comes desensitization to the world around us. Our concern is with the moment, and with the “me”. So we give up on bettering our selves, and by that I do not mean monetarily and with great worldly possessions. I mean in showing true concern for those around us, and making a difference in someone’s life.

If each of us just took a brief and minuscule amount of time out of our daily lives to show care and compassion to someone around us, just think of the consequences of your actions. All of a sudden, you are showing others that it is ok to care. You are showing them, that it is ok to take of your time and help someone else. You may feel like a single snow flake in a storm, with no impact and no control. But you have more impact and control than you realize. Get enough snowflakes together, and you can build a snowman. Even more, and you suddenly have the momentum to do more than you ever imagined.

So, to those that say we have all the time in the world, and can accomplish tomorrow what could have been done today. I say you are wrong. Accomplish today what could be put off for tomorrow. Effect a positive change in the world around you, to any degree possible. Remember, a single snowflake may seem small, but together we have true power. How will we use it though?

~ Frank Elder

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582715/ns/entertainment-celebrities?ocid=twitter

Patrick Swayze succumbs to pancreatic cancer

‘Dirty Dancing’ star, 57, battled disease since January 2008

Slideshow

BREAKING NEWS

Patrick Swayze has died after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze’s publicist Annett Wolf says the 57-year-old “Dirty Dancing” actor died Monday with family at his side. He came forward about his illness last spring, but continued working as he underwent treatments.

It was 1987 when Swayze became a star with his performance in “Dirty Dancing,” a coming-of-age story set in a Catskills resort. The 1990 film “Ghost” cemented his status as a screen favorite.

Swayze played a murdered man trying to communicate with his fiancee through a spirit played by Whoopi Goldberg.

He kept on working even after it was disclosed in March 2008 that he had a particularly deadly form of cancer. He starred in “The Beast,” an A&E drama series, and said he and his wife were working on a memoir.

You will be missed. My condolences to those left behind.