Glad Luce is doing this. If I donated books would people pay big bucks for a good cause and buy them?

Wyclef Jean's organization has indeed come under some fire, click here  and here for overviews.

In fairness Jean has responded to these reports. However, while on one level I applaud everyone who is making an effort, Jean included, I truly believe that funds would infinitely be better served if donated to an established and proven effective organization, even if they are not as hip as WJ. The Red Cross or Oxfam. Are two such organizations. Partners In Health is another good option. Again, FWIW, both Oxfam and PIH where in Haiti prior to the earthquake, and both will be there well after the ARC leaves.

I don't know if the organizers of this event will read this, but if they do, please consider this as an appeal to reconsider the recipient of these funds.

Mac's right, there's been a lot in the media the last few days about Wyclef's foundation lining his pockets. I actually love the idea of Duluthians holding a benefit to help the Kako Foundation, founded by UMD music professor Rudy Perrault after his nephew, Kako, was murdered in Haiti several years ago. Great idea, Gea!

I just spoke to the show organizers, and they have agreed not to send the money to Wyclef's organization, now that these accusations have come to light. They are working hard right now to find an acceptable charity to which to donate the money. Any suggestions are welcome.

I am impressed by Partners in Health, www.pih.org, they've been in Haiti for a long time, so have people there on the ground who know what in the hell is going on and what needs to be done. And a lot of people I respect tell me they are doing great work and are not pocketing donations, as Wyclef's organization has been accused of doing. Sad, b/c I love Wyclef's music. So, check them out, www.pih.org. And good luck, so glad you are doing this and are open to your slight change in plans.

YEah!! I was just looking into Oxfam. I woman who use to volunteer for them just contacted me. I will look into Partners in health next. We will probably divide the money between two organizations at this point. Thanks again for the support, suggestion, and guidance. It's so wonderful to be in contact with people who care. putting this show together has been a bit stressful and overwhelming due to the immediate need for help (these people need help NOW), but I am continually rejuvinated by the people I come into contact with along the way.
Namaste'

I second the Kako Foundation. It is a boots-on-the-ground operation overseen by Duluthian Dr. Rudy Perrault. 


I don't know how their music school fared, but it was providing incredible educational services and musical instruments to Haitians. 


http://www.kakofoundation.org/

Sorry Sorry, but you know, "allegations" are the source of lies and deceit from our media.........as though non-profits and foundations don't have expenses and costs to their operations......

"Wyclef Jean was being demonized by the media because he was promoting methods of donating to charity where the money actually goes to victims and doesn't get swallowed up by giant transnational charities who have been caught stealing money before." 
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1525617/american_red_cross_stealing_your_donation.html?cat=48

1991 and 2004 were examples of Coup d'etat from your U.S Military.  We now have over 10,000 u.s. armed forces and Israeli Defense Forces - For what?  
   
"In 2000, Dr. Jehuda Hiss was the head of Israeli Abu Kabirs forensic institute. He indicated they would glue the eyes of the corpse shut so that family members would not know they had stolen the eye corneas of their loved ones. Dr. Jehuda Hiss stated, "We started to harvest corneas ... Whatever was done was highly informal. No permission was asked from the family." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYXPAK6LaFU&feature=player_embedded# 

I'd say, use the wycleff foundation, seems rather odd that a black man who starts his own foundation for a country stricken with poverty and peril is now demonized by the american media.  Maybe the other foundations felt threatened by the amount of money he already has brought in and now needs to slander his effort to increase their own donation amounts.  ehem who would you rather donate through?  Bush/Clinton et. al. http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/


There are too many cultural parallels to draw on to compare the hypocrisy and blatant disregard for facts by the u.s. media conglomerate.

Carl, neither Bush nor Clinton are war criminals so please stick to the facts rather than personal opinions.  The $500,000 that Wyclef received as head of his foundation approaches or exceeds that of the heads of Red Cross (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277), Oxfam (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4288) and CARE (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3568).

All of this date comes from government-required tax filings so this information is accurate.  Wyclef's organization is for one country and does not accomplish anywhere near as much as these organizations do and they have a global scope.  It makes no sense that Wyclef's earnings from his charity should even approach the level of these companies, but I guess he can do whatever he wants with other people's money.

It's not demonizing a black man when legitimate questions like these are asked because Haitians deserve and should expect every dollar that the American people donate to help them gets to them and not in Wyclef's bank account.  And how did you bring race into this discussion and corneas and Israeli people and war criminals.  That has nothing to do with anything that we were discussing.

So wait... you're are suggesting that the heads of Oxfam, Red Cross, Partners in Health, CARE, etc are perpetuating a conspiracy against a wealthy musician who happens to be black? I'm sorry but you are straying into can't-take-you-seriously territory. Whether or not WJ's organization is acting badly or simply being accused of acting badly I don't know. But, enough credible sources, not just the "OMG horrible media!!!!", have raised concerns that need to be properly addressed by something more than a PR statement before I would feel comfortable sending money to them. Despite what you may think the colour of your skin does not preclude you from acting badly, plenty of assholes of all ethnicities floating around out there. Plenty of fantastic people too.

Sorry guys....I do know that Bush and Clinton are both Humanists and in touch with Haitians and Americans Alike.  

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/01/haiti-a-haunting-history-lesson.html

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/jan2010/pers-j18.shtml

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/world-mainmenu-26/africa-mainmenu-27/2747-un-backed-troops-wreak-havoc-in-africa

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100120/OPINION01/1200321/1002/OPINION/U.S.-military-corporations-can-help-Haiti-by-staying-out

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-bush_18int.ART.State.Edition1.4ba7e2d.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-a-palermo/media-coverage-of-haitian_b_427006.html

http://www.poder360.com/article_detail.php?id_article=3461

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2010/011910.html

pants.

Let's start raising monies for groups or people here first. When was the last time you saw anyone helping people here like homeless people or families in need? Never. Why do we have to always run to those living 2,000 miles away and give out our cash and time and we can't help out our fellow neighbors?

If you consider the history of Haiti along with Colin Powell's "pottery barn" philosophy of "you break it, you bought it," it's pretty much up to the US to step in.

Thank you Edgeways. It seems as though sometimes we forget how to positively direct our energy. And for me personally, I have spent many of hours donating in my local communities a well. Helping people all over the world is very important! This happens to be a MAJOR catastrophe that needs help in a HUGE way. Also, who is to say that people helping to put this event together are not part of the people "there"?? In my own personal opinion I find it disturbing when people start to separate themselves as "us" and "them." We are one, and in the end, I believe that together we rise, and together we fall. I think positivety and love can go a  long way. Just my personal thoughts.

okey dokey.... I do beleive we have come to a decision where to send the monies collected from the benefit. We will send 75% to the Oxfam charity for immediate assistance, releif and aid, and 25% to the Kako foundation that is partnered with "food for the people".  :)
Please note we do not necessarily support the allegations on the Wyclef organization. Again all we care about is getting as much to Haiti as we can and feel that Oxfam and Kako would be that best means at this point in time... and hopefully will still be by this point in time next week. Thanks again for all the concerns and suggestions!!

Thanks Sarah, good job

Special thanks to Ashley O., Daniel O., and Cole M., too..... :) Couldn't have done this alone. 
Peace