Canada Gives To Haiti

Tonight, a number of Canadian television stations including CityTV, CBC, CTV and Global are coming together to dedicate their evening broadcasts to Canada For Haiti: a telethon for the Haiti relief effort. Absolutely devastated by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake from over a week ago, Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, remains a city in ruins.

Very sadly, hundreds of thousands of citizens have died. So many more have been injured and have been forced to endure the amputation of limbs. So many others are without homes, food or clothing. The Canadian federal government announced last week that it would match each and every Canadian donation to the relief effort in Haiti dollar for dollar up to $50 million.

Tonight is the night that Canada can show the world exactly what type of nation it is. Hosted by television and radio personality George Stroumboulopoulos, the live telethon taking place tonight is encouraging Canadians to give generously to this very worthy cause.

As part of the telethon, Canada For Haiti has secured the support of a number of Canadian celebrities and artists to both speak and perform on behalf of this great cause. Just some of the amazing Canadian talent participating in this telethon broadcast are musicians The Tragically Hip and K’naan, actors Michael J. Fox and Rachel McAdams (of Sherlock Holmes and Wedding Crashers fame) and Olympic champion Donovan Bailey.

All of them are bound by one important goal. That is, of course, to raise as much money as possible for those who so desperately need it. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in fact, spoke as part of the telecast reminding Canadians that each dollar of each donation will be matched by the federal government up to $50 million. Encourgaging us all to give as much as we are able to, the message of all those involved is clear and unified.

To donate to the relief effort in Haiti, a donation of your choice may be pledged to Canada For Haiti by calling 1-877-51-HAITI (42484). In addition, cell phone users may text the word “AID” to 45678 to donate $5 towards the same cause. You may also visit the website CanadaForHaiti.com to make a donation as well.

Again, Canadians are asked to give generously as Haiti is in dire need of the greatest humantarian effort of our lifetimes. The earthquake, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, is possibly the worst natural disaster of our lifetimes. If there ever was a time that Canada could adequately display its compassion and generosity, it is now.

The importance of your participation in this effort will truly speak to the kindness that Canada is known for worldwide. Michael J. Fox spoke about the people of his country being so willing to give by stating: “At the end of the day I can’t think of anything more Canadian than that.”

CanadaForHaiti.com sums it up best: “The suffering in Haiti is immense. The nation’s leading artists are joining Canada’s international humanitarian agencies, broadcast networks and corporations to raise funds for those in desperate need. Join us now. Show the people of Haiti they are not alone.”