Helping With Fund Raisers
And making them aware of RNR
 If responders raise money or make donations to the Red Cross they should be sure to present their check to their local chapter, either directly or by mail, indicating that they are Red Nose Responders. This is best done with a note or letter identifying who they are with an address and phone number plus information about Red Nose Response (RNR) as a responder. The memo line should say Haitian Relief Fund.
This does two things. It gives some recognition to RNR and it gives the chapter a chance to record the name, address, etc. of the responder for future reference. It brings the two together. Sending funds to the International Red Cross means it will go in a hundred different ways. If it goes directly to the National American Red Cross then it too can get divided up. By making sure it states Haitian Relief Fund, no one chapter or national can use it except for Haiti.
We are also requesting that anything a responder does in the name of RNR be sent to the Board in an email by way of info@rednos eresponse.org. This includes presenting a donation. We need to know what you have done and are doing. We are so proud of all of you.
This information was contributed by Mike Zabko, RNR Advisor and CEO of Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Other ways to help
There are many relief organizations
Don't forget the many other relief organizations, religious groups and community groups that are sending relief to the Haitians. Contact your favorite humanitarian response group. It might be the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the United Way, local churches and many more.
If any of you live in an area that has a Caribbean population those centers are overwhelmed with frightened, worried or grieving members. You can help with your comic relief skills in those settings. You might have a small event for the children while the adults try to get assistance.
You can help all of these organizations raise funds now and you can help them raise funds in the future to refill their coffers. These caring people drain all their resources in times of disaster and they need help building those back up in readiness for the next need.
Remember to thank the responders who are deployed to Haiti. It's no vacation for them and they could use a rousing party or celebration when they are safely back at home.
Whatever you do, make sure that your efforts support a legitimate response group. Please read our article below that contains advice from the FBI.
Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert
We share with you the FBI warning about fraud
The FBI reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.
Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:
- Do not respond to any unsolicited (SPAM) incoming emails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
- Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
- Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group's existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.
- Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
- Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
- Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov.
Reporting Relief fund Fraud
Look for Red Nose Response at Upcoming Conventions
Talk with Responders and Board members
 Red Nose Response will have a presence at a number of conventions that are about to take place this month and in the coming months.
In January there is Kidvention in Springfiled, VA with Board members Bob and Teresa Gretton teaching classes. There will be RNR goodies at Florida Clown Day in Largo, FL
In February the RNR display table will be at Clown City Jamboree in Mystic CT. The Grettons will be at Circus Magic in Williamsburg, VA
At the April COAI convention in Houston, TX we plan to have a display table and something in your goodie bag.
Introduce yourself to our Board and wear your RNR logo proudly so others will ask you about joining.
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Haiti!!!
How can I help now?
 As I've been watching the news, reading the papers and scanning Facebook, all I can think of is "I want to go NOW!!!" I know that we do need to be responding but at this time it needs to be from our living rooms and more importantly from our checkbooks!
May 4, 2007 my childhood hometown of Greensburg, Kansas was destroyed by a tornado. I realize that a tiny town of 1400 does not compare to Haiti's 2 million. However on a much smaller level there are things that are the same.
At the very beginning in Greensburg, at least for the first week, we were just not set up to accommodate volunteers. The Professional First Responders brought what they needed with them i.e. tents, generators, food, water, etc. All motels within 100 miles were booked for months in advance. I've talked to several folks who just wanted to help but were literally sent away from the city limits.
I was in a unique situation. Not only was I a Red Nose Volunteer, I was a hometown girl. The locals knew me and gave me a Volunteer badge without my asking. It gave me free access to the town but not enough time to do what I wanted.
After the first couple of weeks we had fallen into a routine, if that is possible in a disaster zone. I started taking 2 or 3 hours a day and visiting as a Red Nose Responder. Since then I go back at least 6 times a year and will for many years. It's going to take that long for the City to recover. I said at that time that I wasn't a 1st responder; I was a 3rd or 4th Responder. I really like what Barb says better, we are Soft Responders.
So, with all that said what can I do right now? I'm praying, I've called my local Red Cross and I've written a check. It isn't much but for now it's all I can do. I'm sure our Red Nose Board will have other suggestions. I am very proud to have a small role in this wonderful group!
Rita "Dizzy" Winter, RNR Advisor
Information from FEMA
Do Not Self Deploy
 Initial reports from Haiti in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake are concerning and troubling. During times like these, the emergency response community always stands ready to assist those in need.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, is reminding our response community that assets should not self deploy to affected areas.
The United States Department of State has the lead for foreign disaster assistance, and US assets should deploy only if tasked to do so by the State Department. The most urgent need that the response community can fulfill at this time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fund-raising efforts.
Message From FEMA Administrator
Help locating loved ones in Haiti
SATERN can help
 Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. SATERN has volunteers that have been monitoring Ham radios all night for info coming from the area. Should anyone be looking to locate a loved one or get any info on someone they can register at www.qso.com and go to "health and welfare registry".
This information comes from Russ Hendrickson, the Salvation Army Emergency Services Manager
How the Clown Community can respond
Join RNR and be in the know
The best response of the clown community would be to join RNR, if they are not already members. Then contact and encourage others to contact local chapters of relief organizations. As we have already stated, cash donations to the organizations that are working in Haiti are the most efficient and effective way to help the relief effort in Haiti right now. They allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis.
If you're interested in helping out families in Haiti immediately, here are some organizations to which you can contribute:
We have urged direct Red Cross donations to your local chapter with the designation on the memo line Haiti Relief Fund.
Donations to Doctors Without Borders can be made at http://doct orswithoutborders.org . Click on DONATE NOW.
In addition, you can also find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information, or through USAID's interactive website, which has a list of NGOs and instructions on how to help.
Spread the information and let us know what you find out, what you are doing and remember to tell all organizations that you are a Red Nose Response responder. Fellow clowns can sign up by sending us a full name, clown name, full address, phone and email information. Vice President Barbara "Sparky" Bird will reply to them and sign them up.
Joining RNR
Get your RNR items before going to a convention
And wear them when you volunteer or donate
You can help spread awareness of Red Nose Response by wearing a pin, a patch, a shirt or a hat. Carry a tote bag. Get your gear at our store.
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