Mom on the Street: The Good in Us

We Americans are facing a financial crisis, but nothing even remotely on the scale of what has happened to Haiti. It's been heartbreaking to watch the destruction and mayhem the earthquake has left behind. Children are literally starving to death -- many even without a parent around to help. We cannot open a newspaper, turn on the TV or log onto the Internet without hearing or seeing shocking images of this catastrophe.

But amidst all the pain and suffering, I also saw this situation bring out the good in people. Folks have come together from all over the world to help, including our community's schools and religious organizations. People from around the globe have shown how much they care by unselfishly giving their time, swiping their credit cards and even withdrawing cash they've been saving for a rainy day. One of my all-time favorite actors, John Travolta, flew his Boeing 707 to transport doctors, food rations and medical supplies to the ravaged island. As hard as it might be to feel hopeful in the face of the news coverage from Haiti, it feels good to know that we as a nation and as a community can come together and rally as humanitarians to help these victims less fortunate than ourselves, especially when so many of us are feeling the economic pinch in our own lives.

This week Mom on the Street wanted to know what you might be doing to help.

Marissa Allen of Colleyville says she believes we should all try and do something. "I donated money to help Haiti online and also at Market Street," Allen said. "And as I watch all the chaos unfolding in Haiti from the comfort of my home, I am reminded that we are much better off than so many around the world. As bad as we perceive our own lives at times, we must remember how lucky we are. I believe as a nation we can't afford not to help."

Jenny Cox of Grapevine says she is an annual contributor to the American Red Cross.

"We give each year to the American Red Cross because we know that in times of crisis like the earthquake in Haiti, they provide support to all those who so desperately need it. I read that the Haiti operation is the largest one-country personnel deployment in Red Cross history and now all I can do is hope and pray for all those people," Cox said.

Adversity can bring out the best in us, evoking our empathy and generosity. It gives us the opportunity to come together and do what's right. It also helps us feel connected as a worldwide human society. We should all be proud of the compassion that clearly lies at the cornerstone of our American life. I have no doubt our communities will continue to reach out to the Haitian community and to all those who need our help in the future.

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