Local Haiti Fundraiser Encourages Electronic Donations

PALM DESERT -Here in the valley people are reaching out to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. On Saturday Gold’s Gym in Palm Desert helped raise money for the relief efforts, but it wasn’t your typical fundraiser. In fact, there was no exchange of actual money. Instead, people are using technology to give back.

“It breaks your heart,” says Lori Overbo.

For Lori Overbo the Haiti earthquake hit especially close to home. When she was a child, her parents were missionaries in the island nation and her father set up a school there.

“Luckily it was not in Port Au Prince, they were all safe and the missionaries we are connected with are all okay,” says Overbo.

Stories of triumph seem dwarfed by tragedy, but people around the nation and here in the valley are doing all they can to deliver hope.

“How can you not do something,” says Fernando Periera, Organizer of Haiti fundraiser at Gold’s Gym.

Gold’s Gym in Palm Desert is showing their members just how simple giving can be.

“It’s a painless way to contribute,” says Periera.

At the fundraiser, they didn’t taking actual monetary donations, instead they encouraged people to donate electronically by simply texting “Haiti” to 90999. By doing that, an automatic 10 dollar donation goes straight to the American Red Cross.

“Ten dollars may not seem like a lot, but the multiplier effect is huge,” says Periera.

“You feel like you are doing something instead of feeling selfish sitting in your comfortable surroundings,” says Marci Webb.

Texting makes it easy to give.

“It’s convenient and you don’t have to seek out the organizations,” says Webb.

“I know some people who have done it 2 or 3 times,” says Periera.

Dialing 90999 ensures your money is sent where it’s needed most.

“It’s going directly to an agency with boots on the ground,” says Periera.