Pocono News Section

Earthquake Donations Pouring in from PA

Earthquake Donations Pouring in from PA - Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 5:55PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Sunday, Jan 17, 2010 @ 05:55pm EST
We've seen the images of crews desperately digging for survivors. The pictures of grieving families struggling to survive. Their painful plight pushing folks in our area to help.

This weekend all Catholic churches in the Scranton Diocese took a second collection to help the church's humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

One young parishioner of Holy Rosary Church in Wilkes-Barre is eager to help. Briana Scorey of
Wilkes-Barre said, "It feels horrible because we're so fortunate to have everything we have right now. They don't have anything."

Even grocery stores are collecting. All Weis Markets, including this one in Dallas, are making it easier for people to give. Manager Tom Murtha said, "We're doing our part. It's a tragedy down there in Haiti."

Bob Hatcher of Lehman said, "It’s the right thing to do. A lot of bad stuff is going on down there and every little bit helps."

The cashiers have been instructed to ask each customer if they'd like to donate and how much. That is added to the end of their bill and goes to the American Red Cross.

Terri Honeywell of Hunlock Creek donated. "I just think somebody's gotta pitch in because if it was me and my family I'd hope somebody would do the same for us," she said.

Cashier Heather Englehart said, "A lot of them give. Not all can give a lot. A dollar or two. Some are giving 10, 15."

Wegmans is also taking donations from customers for the Red Cross. Both chains are also making corporate donations.

And on Monday, the Wyoming Valley Mall will host a fund drive for the American Red Cross from 11am to 2pm.

You can also donate online. If you do, experts say think big. Large organizations are better able to respond to this sort of disaster.

The American Red Cross and UNICEF are two organizations who are on the ground helping now. You can give to the Red Cross at or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

If you have a cell phone, you can donate $10 by texting "Haiti" to 90999. The donation will appear as a charge on your next cell phone bill.

Before you give, we've got some tips to make sure your donation is going where it should. .