(Editor’s note: Today we welcome guest blogger Noland Hoshino of [B]cause Media.)
A month has passed since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti, its people, and the world. 230,000 people have lost their lives, more will die, and millions are without proper food and water. The recovery has barely begun, yet when you turn on television news or look in a newspaper you’ll find little about the Herculean relief efforts. “New” media isn’t much better. #Haiti is no longer a top trending topic on Twitter. Internet browser main pages feature stories about the best and worst 2010 Super Bowl Commercials and Google Buzz. Have we really already forgotten about the struggling Haitian people? Not everyone.
This past weekend at a Social Entrepreneur conference, I met an amazing woman, Amy Carol Wolff. Amy, an Indiana University graduate student specializing in non-profit management, was personally affected by the Haiti earthquake when a close friend’s family was lost in the rubble after the initial earthquake.
Amy described her conversation: “I listened to a dear friend describe the horror of thinking his wife and two children had been lost in the earthquake.” I was the poorest man in the world, he said. “But that morning, by some miracle, his wife and two little girls walked up to him – rattled, injured, but alive.” And now, I am the richest man in the world, he said.
Amy was moved by the incident and couldn’t help but think about those who weren’t so lucky. Being a singer and songwriter, she sprang into action and recorded a song she had once written, “Brighter Way.” Amy has a beautiful voice and could have easily have made “Brighter Way” her song. Instead, she chose to donate the song and collaborate with choirs across the globe by creating The Haiti Choir Project.
“I’m dedicating this project to honor this family, specifically, the eldest daughter, who loves and is inspired by the beauty of music,” she said. “Imagine choirs from all over the world coming together to sing for Haiti – singing on behalf of those who cannot be heard. This will be a powerful, transformational movement.”
>>> Listen to Amy’s beautiful song, “Brighter Way”
This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2010, the choir mashup of “Brighter Way” by the Haiti Choir Project will be released across the internet on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube, to raise money for the “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project – Haiti Relief Fund (participants of Citizen Effect and Care’s Earthquake Relief Fund).
Here’s how you can participate and donate:
- Watch the “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project video on February 14th.
- Share it with someone you love (hashtag #Brighterway #HaitiChoirProject)
- Donate to “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project – Haiti Relief Fund. Instead of buying chocolate or flowers this Valentine’s day, give hope to Haiti.
We must not forget Haiti and her beautiful people. We must not forget those who died, those who survived, and those who are left behind — “Show them there’s a brighter way.”
Thank you, Amy Carol Wolff for sharing your gift to the world and giving Haiti hope. We love you.
Follow the progress of Brighter Way on posterous, and on Twitter and Facebook.
Show them there’s a brighter way
A rushing river gaining ground
Bringing life and hope abound
A brighter love
One that reaches deep enough
To see their pain and lift them up in grace
This is purpose
For this we sing
For this we sing
For those who see
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Tags: Amy Carol Wolff, Brighter Way, donate, Haiti, Haiti Choir Project
To the What Gives folks,
Thanks for helping to spread the word! We’ll keep you updated on the progress!
ACW and the zyOzy Foundation Team
It’s our pleasure to help. We love to see an idea turn into a movement! Thanks for all your hard work. Can’t wait to hear the result!!!!