Helping Haiti: How to Make a Difference While You’re Out and About

Written by Gwendolyn Purdom | Published on January 25, 2010

The International Red Cross estimates that more than 3 million people in Haiti—one of the poorest nations in the world—have been affected by a devastating earthquake that hit Tuesday. Washington restaurants, bars, businesses, and organizations are doing their part to help. Here’s our list of relief efforts you can join.

• For every person who signs up to receive What’s the Deal DC e-mails on local restaurant discounts, the group will donate $1 to Haiti-relief efforts.

Friday, January 15
• A relief fundraiser at the Passenger (1021 Seventh St., NW; 202-393-0220) will be held from 5 to 8.

~~• The Palace of Wonders Cheeky Monkey Sideshow will donate a portion of door sales and all funds raised to the Red Cross. Doors open at 6, and the show starts at 10. $10.~~

• DC9’s weekly Liberation Dance Party will donate all door proceeds to the Red Cross. The club’s night of rock, electronic, hip-hop, and more starts at 9. $7.

• Tryst, the Diner, and Open City will donate 100 percent of their drink-special sales to the UNICEF Fund for Haitian Earthquake Survivors all weekend. Specials include any coffee drink with a shot of Bailey’s at Tryst, the Creamsicle Cooler at Open City, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale at the Diner.

• ~~Ten percent of all lunch and dinner sales at Union Jack’s in Arlington and Bethesda will be donated to relief agencies.~~

• The Gibson will donate 100 percent of all profits from Sazeracs and old fashioneds.

• Door proceeds from the Shadow Room will be donated to relief efforts.

• Rock Bottom Brewery in Arlington will host the Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross for a Haiti Earthquake fundraiser. An $8 bracelet gets you $2 beers from 5 to 8, and all proceeds go to Haiti relief.

Saturday, January 16
• Volunteers for CrisisCamp will gather from 9 to 5 at Sunlight Labs (1818 N St., NW, Suite 300; 202-742-1520) to provide technical assistance to relief agencies. No technical experience necessary.

Sunday, January 17
• From 11 to 4, the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti (2311 Massachusetts Ave., NW) will collect nonperishable food, baby items, toiletries, and boxes for the people of Haiti. The embassy is also seeking volunteers to man phones. Call 202-241-3593 if you’re interested.

• Busboys & Poets’ DMV Helps Haiti initiative, will discuss how to support the country. Attendees who wish to express their feelings through word or song are encouraged. Artist Demont Peekaso will offer live art work that will be auctioned off later in the evening. Doors open at 6, and a $10 donation is suggested. You can also include a donation in your bill at any Busboys location.

• Saki Lounge (2477 18th St., NW; 202-518-9820) will collect $5 donations for the Red Cross and offer drink specials and a DJ from 8 PM to 2 AM. The bar will also make a donation based on how many people come out.

Monday, January 18
• The DC Expression 4 Haiti benefit show at El Rincon Espanol restaurant (1826 Columbia Rd., NW) will include donation collection and an open-mike discussion. 7 to 10.

• ~~Through January 22, 10 percent of food and beverage purchases from 7 to 8 daily at all Latin Concepts restaurants (Chi Cha Lounge, Ceviche, Guarapo) will support Haiti-relief funds.~~

• Wale will play a benefit concert at the 9:30 Club . All ticket sales will be donated to the Partners in Health Organization and YeleHaiti. Get advanced tickets ($20 to $100) here.

Tuesday, January 19
• ~~All proceeds and a percentage of each drink sale during happy hour at Recess (727 15th St., NW) go to Haitian-relief efforts.~~

• The upper bar at Current (1215 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-955-5525) will offer drink specials from 5:30 to 8 and sushi specials until 7. A $5 donation at the door is suggested, and all door proceeds and 10 percent of bar proceeds go directly to Oxfam’s disaster-relief efforts.

• From today through February 19, Ashok Bajaj’s restaurants—701, Ardeo/Bardeo, Bibiana, Bombay Club, the Oval Room, and Rasika—will donate a dollar per dish from the sale of a selection of featured items.

Wednesday, January 20
• Former Rustico server Frank Thorp V and his wife, Jillian Cook, were in Haiti when the earthquake struck. Frank pulled Jill from the rubble after being buried for almost ten hours. She survived with only minor injuries. The Neighbor
hood Restaurant Group will host a fundraiser at Columbia Firehouse (109 S. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria; 703-683-1776) from 6 to 9. A $40 donation is requested. The event will feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Donations will benefit H.E.R.O and the Red Cross.

• At Party for Haiti in Madam's Organ, $1 from every drink and 10 percent from every food item purchased will go to the American Red Cross and the United Nations Foundation. Also, $5 and $10 donations will be made via text message. The fundraiser runs from 6 to 10. ABC's Channel 7 news anchor Doug McKelway will perform with his band at 9. For more information, click here.

Thursday, January 21
• The District Collective hosts a concert and party at Midtown Loft, with all proceeds going to Haiti Earthquake Relief. Tickets are $10 at the door. The event will feature music from Lucky Dub, The Method, East Coast Caravan and more. 6 PM.

Monday, January 25
• The Pan American Development Foundation hosts a fundraiser for Haiti relief efforts at Bobby Van's Grill. Your $20 at-the-door donation provides free drinks and appetizers from 5-8 PM. For more information, visit panamericanrelief.org.

Wenesday, January 27
• The downtown DC bar Sign of the Whale hosts a fundraising happy hour to benefit survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Drink specials will include $3 beers and $4 rail drinks as well as 25-cent chicken wings. There’s a $10 suggested donation at the door, with all proceeds going to Partners in Health. The event runs from 6 to 9. For more information, click here.

Saturday, January 30
• A fundraising event at Ri Ra in Clarendon will feature a performance by band Misspent Youth. $1 from the $5 cover charge will be donated to the Red Cross. Additional donations are also encouraged. 9 PM.

Saturday, February 6
• The Black Cat will host a benefit on the mainstage for the victims of the earthquake, with appearances by Tennis System, the State Department, and more. $10. 9 PM.

Friday, February 12
• The online social network Liberated Muse is seeking performers for its “To Haiti, With Love” benefit concert at the Potter’s House. The $10 event will run from 7 to 10, and all proceeds will support Wyclef Jean’s YeleHaiti at Yele.org. Interested artists should e-mail Muse at liberatedmuseproductions@gmail.com.

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