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Masters of ceremonies Michelle Melby and Tom Milbourn introduce the Milwaukee Lutheran High School Select Choir during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Harjinder Bedi, Carolyn Armstrong and the Crowe Brothers perform during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Lawrence University student Carolyn Armstrong speaks about her experiences in Haiti during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Lawrence University's faculty brass emsemble performs as the audience arrives for Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Bob Levy, trumpet, and John Harmon, piano, perform during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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A cello quartet from Lawrence University performs during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Robby Schiller (of Blueheels) performs while masters of ceremonies Michelle Melby and Tom Mibourn of FOX 11 look on during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Shawn Drake and Jeremiah Nelson perform during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Lawrence University music professor Janet Anthony speaks about the devastation in Haiti during Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Mark Urness, bass, and Matt Turner, cello, perform at Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Improvisational cellist Matt Turner performs at Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Representatives of the American Red Cross listen to performances at Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

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Janet Anthony, cello, and Anthony Padilla, piano, perform at Concert for Haiti at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton, Jan. 20, 2010.

  • Concert for Haiti
Giving a theme at "Concert for Haiti"
Giving a theme at "Concert for Haiti"

As people in Haiti continue their struggle to survive after the…

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Help still needed for Haiti

Updated: Monday, 15 Mar 2010, 4:28 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 20 Jan 2010, 6:55 PM CST

Video of the concert is available to the left. You may also find a photo gallery from the concert by clicking on the "Gallery" tab to the left.

To donate to relief efforts, follow the links below:

Other local and national charities have begun Haiti relief funds. Donation information follows:

In addition, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau offers the following tips on avoiding donation scams:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.
Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims
Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting earthquake victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses. They may use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses will still be incurred.

Be cautious when giving online
Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and e-mails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the tsunami disaster in 2004, there were concerns raised about many Web sites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.

Beware of “text to donate” scams
The Red Cross has a new way to donate via text messages. However, donors should be careful of “look-alike” appeals, and make sure that they text message their donation to the appropriate number. For more information about legitimate “text to donate” organizations, go to www.state.gov.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas
Unless the charity already has staff in the effected areas, it may be difficult to get new aid workers to quickly provide assistance. See if the charity’s Web site clearly describes what they can do to address immediate needs.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups
Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middle man” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the region. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations
In-kind drives for food and clothing—while well intentioned—may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need, unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to be able to properly distribute such aid. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.

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