Ballroom Dance and Haiti

This is our current, verified information for information and donations that we have distributed notice to our City employees, which also may be useful for those of you who want to donate sooner than later. Sorry to be off topic. Many Angelenos have family members and friends who live in Haiti and they are anxiously awaiting some news about the status of their loved ones. For information or updates please contact: The State Department (888) 407-4747 or Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (202) 322-4090
If you are interested in making a monitary donation to help the residents of Haiti, please contact the following organizations
 
Michel Francois Jacques

I think one of my greatest frustrations is the only productive thing I can do for Haiti right now is send money. That is a very productive thing. But there is more. There are many Haitians in our own country. We are not hearing from them because they are beside themselves with worry about their family and friends. One is a professional ballroom dancer. Michel Francois Jacques of Miami. I have only met him once many years ago. I don't know if he was in Haiti at the time of the quake or here. Does anyone know? In the meantime, if I can be of help to any family members here, I will do so.
 
I hate to say this but be wary of scams. Every time a tragedy like this occurs there are those who prey upon the good will of those who seek to send aid to the affected region. Double-check that your money is going where you think it's going. Be especially careful with donation mechanisms that charge your phone bill (perhaps legitimate but also a traditional scam vector), cash, newly-formed or little known relief organizations, etc.
 
so very very tragic...

and I echo others that it is best to give to well known charities that have already had a history with Haiti such as the red cross, doctors without borders, catholic relief services etc...

and my deepest sympathy to Emmanuel...the loss of a young child is devastating to a parent
 
My condolences to Emmanuel and his wife and family members. I had the spontaneous chance opportunity run-in meeting with him days after the birth of his son and he was thrilled. I can only imagine the depth of the sorrow. For others who are waiting and wondering on news of family members it is best to contact the State department or the Haiti Embassy at the previously posted phone numbers for now.
 
Ricardo Sopin of Arthur Murray is Missing Daughter

There is a fundraiser being held in Saratogo Springs New York for Dance Instructor Ricardo Sopin to raise funds to help him return to Haiti. His mother is injured but alive, his aunt and uncle are known dead and his 8 year old daughter is missing. I can't post attachments yet, however you can find him the full story by Googling Ballroom Dance Haiti.
 
There's quite a few people I work with that have family in Haiti. It's amazing to me how connected the world is now, how something far away can touch so many lives locally. I think I actually know more people who have direct ties to this than I knew tied to Katrina or 9/11 on US soil. To me, it's a huge reminder that we can't just think about what's best for the U.S. without including the entire world in the equation. And it's a huge reminder to be careful of taking tomorrow for granted.
 
Jean Michel Erole

I haven't found information on how he is affected yet, but here is another talented Haitian professional competitor. I have found video of a couple of the Haitian professionals and posted it on my Twitter and Facebook pages. They can be reached on the front page of our website. Or try Google. We are seeing the devastation of Haiti and thinking of them as victims. When I look at these videos I am reminded of a rich cultural heritage that shows in their dancing. Haiti has given us a rich gift.
 
Another route that is being taken to support the funds needed in this disaster response, check out your e-mails if your a Holiday Inn type priority club member. They sent out e-mails from their Priority Club Point redemption center. You can redeem your points for converted dollars to donate to the cause for Haiti. If there was ever a time Fascination to approach an organizer or head of a competition(?) I'm not savey in this, it's now. I would so thoroughly donated my vouchers for $$ value - be it to a charity fund or to send a teacher as posted above, etc.
 
My deepest sympathies and condolences to all those involved. One fantastic donation option that hasn't been mentioned yet is Partners in Health (www.PIH.org), the largest NGO in Haiti. They are in the field, and an anthropologically-informed, locally-rooted organization, delivering medical supplies and assistance to people in Port-au-Prince. They are highly credible, and with a very low overhead (i.e. over 93% of all donations go through as aid, with less than 7% going to operational expenses).
 
My condolences to Emmanuel and family. Losing a child is devastating and my heart goes out to him and all who have suffered such a terrible loss in this tragedy.
 
Larinda McRaven said:
We recieved a call, from Stepping Out Dance Studio, here last night at the M.A.C. that Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine has reported that his very young son was killed, while sleeping in his crib at his Aunts house in Haiti.

Here at the M.A.C.they have set up a donation box for Emmanuel and his wife. And while I have nothing but the deepest sorrow for Emmanuel I looked into the audience, during the announcement, and saw several friends who are Haitian and each of them have parents and siblings they are unable to contact, and my heart bleeds for them too!!
Click to expand...
This is heart wrenching . . .
 
My deepest sympathies for Emmanuel and his family. Losing a child.. at such a young age ... is truly devastating.

One thing I noticed today is that you can use AMEX points toward the Haiti relief efforts. Other credit companies my have similar options. If you have credit card points, it may be worth checking out.
 
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