HOPE FOR HAITI

Pluck a string in even the most jaded of hearts, the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in already-ailing Haiti is just nearly too much to bear. Across the ocean and a long state away, what can we do?

Apparently I wasn't alone in my craving to come together and try, ever how small, to make a show of support for the people in this devestated Caribbean island. Our small town of Madison joined up today at a benefit concert for earthquake rescue and put over $20,000 in the Hope for Haiti coffers. In fact, local resident and Hope for Haiti board member David Land is estimating it will top out around $30,000 as pledges from churches and civic groups are still rolling in.

Hope is not a local charity, but it is a fairly small one, and really, I got the sense from talking to people around me at the concert that they thought it was more of a local deal... all of us getting together and sending our money south.

And it wasn't George Clooney and Wyclef Jean on that stage. It was all locals. Our favorite bands like the Bearfoot Hookers and Chef Ron's big band. Shelby Moss and her teen band from Athens (I didn't know she could sing, by the by, and I go to church with her!) The Gathering Place Band and a few soloists from other local churches.

Town Park was probably the most crammed Madison has ever been on a winter weekday. Kids sloshed in the wet grass playing football and soccer, adults soaked in the sun and chatted in between sets and almost everyone whipped out their checkbooks.

Amazingly, David got the entire thing set up in a day, only three days ahead of the event. The word passed by email and a few posters, nothing more. Even though I left there with a crabby toddler in tow (thanks to aforementioned wet, muddy grass), I also left there with a heart full of pride to be a part of this community effort. A spontaneous outbreak of homegrown giving that might just make a small dent for people in the most serious of need.

www.hopeforhaiti.com