South Carolinians' generosity evident in Haiti response | Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

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South Carolinians' generosity evident in Haiti response

Published Thursday, February 04, 2010 12:50 PM

By Richard Eckstrom
Summerville Journal Scene ®

South Carolina is more than a thousand miles away from the island of Haiti, but we, too, were shaken by its disaster.

In the wake of the earthquake that destroyed most of Haiti’s capital and left the country in crisis, South Carolinians displayed their true colors. They held bake sales, auctions and a range of other fundraisers to support humanitarian relief efforts. Students donated change from their lunch money. Some people sold belongings and donated the cash. Musical groups performed benefit concerts. Politicians took a break from bickering to appeal to their constituents to help the Haitians.

People, businesses, churches and civic clubs stepped up to donate time or money to the cause. Many traveled to Haiti to lend a hand, including missionaries and medical professionals who volunteered their services.

Rarely in history do we witness a disaster of the magnitude that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. The immediate needs are tremendous – there are still people to be rescued, a severe lack of medicine and food, and the threat of disease. The challenge of rebuilding after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake would be daunting for any nation, but especially one known for both pervasive poverty and political corruption.

In ever there was an hour of need, a time for regular folks to step up and help out their fellow man, this was it. And South Carolinians certainly rose to the occassion.

South Carolinians pledged more than $85,000 to the American Red Cross through text messages from their cell phones. Students at one South Carolina elementary school set up a lemonade stand and raised more than $1,000 in just a few days. South Carolina hospitals teamed up for the Haiti Children Project, an initiative to ship medical supplies to the devastated nation. At the time of this writing, the University of South Carolina is asking that a $25,000 fine, levied by the NCAA against its basketball team because fans celebrated on the court following an upset win over the University of Kentucky, be donated to the Haiti relief effort.

I’ve always known South Carolinians to be among the most decent, caring, generous folks you’ll find anywhere. We understand the virtue of sharing our material blessings with those in special need. We believe that helping others reflects life’s highest calling. We have a giving spirit. The way we responded to a catastrophe of such unimaginable proportions is a testament to that spirit.

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