Gray’s Beach – Infinity
Typhoon Haiyan left much of the Philippines in ruins. The death toll estimates are staggering, and the numbers are astronomical.
What numbers?
According to CARE.ORG:
11.3 million people affected
673,000 people displaced
300,000 of those people are without shelter
No electricity, no water, no food
Often, when it’s not in our backyard, it’s hard to empathize with someone else’s tragedy. It’s easy to turn a blind eye, to say it’s not my problem. There is always a tragedy. There is always someone who needs our money. What about us, we’re struggling too, invest in the US. And besides, the holidays are here. I need to budget for presents, and turkeys and such.
Believe me, I helped run a non-profit, I know the drill.
I remember a few years back when we got hit with “Snow-Tober”, as we liked to call it. Much of New England was out of power for a week, and it was difficult. We were cold, many people were cranky, AND WE STILL HAD OUR HOMES. We still had food, we still had water, and if you were lucky, you still had gas for your car, places you could shower, places you could warm up.
The victims of this typhoon have only destruction.
When I saw the photos, it affected me. I asked myself what I could do to help. Like everyone else, I live paycheck to paycheck and due to a few personal emergencies lately, my savings is depleted. But one of my all time favorite quotes…well…paraphrases (research it, it’s a good passage) is: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Yesterday, I stumbled upon www.photocircle.net, which is a printer out of Germany and Hengki Koentjoro’s pledge to donate 50% of his profits from photo sales to CARE.ORG, which would in turn help the victims of the typhoon. I immediately went to the website to buy a print. Turns out international shipping is over $100, which I couldn’t afford, and if I could, would rather donate it as a lump sum to relief organizations.
Next, I sent off a few emails to see if there were American alternatives for this project. BUST!
So finally, I decided to see if I could make some of this happen myself. Last night I spent some time updating my site, and I WILL DONATE 50% of my profits on every sale through my online store between now and December 15th. Specifically, I posted several new prints, which can be upgraded to canvas and/or framed. Just hit the “customize it” button. According to PhotoCircle.net, it takes about$130 to give emergency relief to a family for a month. That is my goal. At least $130.
The money will go to www.care.org/emergencies/typhoon-haiyan. I chose CARE.ORG over the Red Cross, only because the margin was slightly better…less cost per dollar to fundraise. To see those numbers, go here: www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3568
Furthermore, I’ve asked other artists and small businesses to do the same! If you need to buy presents for the holidays, but want to help, you don’t have to choose. You can do both! So far, my friends at Where to Willie Photography, Print Therapy, Fat Frog Photography, Jeremy Fulton Photography and Unbridled Bead Design have agreed to also donate a portion of their profits to relief efforts.
If you are an artist or small business owner and want to help, just let me know and I will add you to the list and put your link on my site. You can contact me at seespotsphoto@yahoo.com
For those of you who would rather just donate directly to relief efforts, I urge you to do so! This isn’t about us as small businesses. This is about helping our fellow humans. Find a charity you are comfortable working with, and give. I guarantee you will change someone’s life, and in the process, change your own.
PLEASE SHARE THIS POST. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN BE THE CHANGE. SPREAD THE WORD, LET’S GET THE PHILIPPINES THE HELP IT NEEDS!
SeeingSpotsPhoto.com 
on behalf of the Filipinos, thank you, Shannon!
You’re very welcome! It’s the right thing to do.
Please, spread the word about this so we can get as many people as possible to help!
Reblogged this on bythelight1973 and commented:
Had to reblog. Here’s a great way to help out those in the Philippines. Thank you Shannon!
What a great idea!!! Love your thinking outside the box, and what a legacy of love for the boys to see.
Karen I wish I could take credit for this idea but it was a fellow photographer/ blogger over at Seespotsphoto who came up with this idea. A wonderful idea that I had to reblog : )
Just reblogged this. Thank you.
No thank you! Spreading the word is huge. Hopefully your blog followers do the same. The more people we reach, the more people we can help!
Reblogged this on My Pretzel Logic and commented:
it’s touching to see how people respond to those in need in their own little ways. i am privileged to reblog shannon’s post.
Reblogged this on Kelley Clink: and commented:
A lovely idea and a great example of doing what you can to help. Also helps that Shannon’s work is beautiful! Check it out!