Tragedy in Haiti Sparks Memories, and Raises the Question – How Best to Help?
Vivid pictures keep flashing through my head. Images of the riotous ruin that was Port au Prince, Haiti, in what were relatively good times during my visit there 10 years ago. Mental portraits of the many good people I met, hoping they are OK. Knowing that some, perhaps many, are not.
My thoughts return most often to the neighborhood where my new friend and interpreter Richard grew up, and where his family still lived. The best buildings there would be targets for a bulldozer here – the rest were leaking hulks crumbling into the streets, people crammed into every nook. Surely this area now is nothing more than a rubble pile.
It is difficult to contemplate. It is not possible to imagine the misery – it was a place of inconceivable suffering in the best of times.
It’s Hard to Know What To Do
The friend I went to visit worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development – America’s very best gift to the rest of the world – and she knew that improvement could be measured only in small victories, individual triumphs. The larger picture has always been intractably out of focus.
My best advice is this: give money or volunteer work to an established agency. A few of us at Greteman Group plan to help a local Salvation Army-supported effort to pack supplies. Since it’s part of a coordinated project, the materials stand a good chance both of being useful and of actually being delivered to where they will make a difference. If you’re looking for some guidance, Charity Navigator has independent reviews and ratings of organizations doing relief work in Haiti.
Royal Caribbean Does the Right Thing
I’d like to say, too, that I’m proud of Greteman Group’s association with Royal Caribbean, which has taken unfair criticism for bringing in a cruise ship to its usual stop well away from Port au Prince. The company has made and continues to make substantial donations to the Haiti relief effort, and its decision to support the Haitian economy is a bright spot in an otherwise bleak economic landscape.
Have you identified a reliable vehicle for contributions or volunteer work to help with Haitian recovery?
This morning, I had the opportunity to go on KNSS NewsRadio to talk with Steve McIntosh about Do the Deed. For four whole minutes, the Wichita airwaves filled with talk of acts of kindness.
If you missed the interview, no worries. We’ve got it below. Have a listen and then head over to the site. While you’re there, be sure to log a deed suggestion or vote on your favorites.
Also, we’re launching the next phase of the campaign in the coming weeks. Our new ads and the website will start to feature the most popular deed ideas, as voted on by the community. So, once you submit a deed, be sure to get all of your friends, family and coworkers to vote!
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The Brad Paisley concert served as a successful inaugural event for the Intrust Bank Arena.
My husband and I attended the inaugural event at Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena on Saturday evening – the Brad Paisley concert. For those of you who don’t live in Wichita, there was great debate several years ago about building the arena given its downtown location and potential parking issues. I’d venture to say that any former naysayers who attended the concert have changed their minds.
Parking was a breeze. No lines when we walked up to the door 30 minutes before the show. Food and beverage options galore. Great entertainment. And a full house. Perfect Saturday night if you ask me.
What is the first event you plan on attending at the Intrust Bank Arena?
This year, my colleagues gave me the best gift ever.
Instead of buying me a present, GGers took our Do The Deed campaign as inspiration and pledged to do small acts of kindness on my behalf. Each team member wrote down his or her commitment and bound them together, creating a book of deeds for 2010.
The ideas range from little daily things (smiling more, communicating better, ordering the six-inch sub sandwich rather than the foot-long) to larger, life-changing commitments (quitting smoking, eating less meat, exercising regularly). Others are donating funds and efforts to causes that hold a special place in my heart.
I appreciate the thought that went into each and can’t wait to see the team live them out.
Peace and joy.
What is the gift you most hope to receive?
We’ve always adored Royal Caribbean. Not only because it’s our client, but also because of its forward-thinking mindset and appreciation of good creative. Now, we have a reason to love them even more.
Royal Caribbean recently launched an iPhone application — The Royal Connect — to help passengers stay connected while onboard the 16-deck Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. Passengers can locate family and friends (Where’d Grandma run off to now?), make reservations for ship restaurants and spas, find out the day’s scheduled activities (When did they say the show starts?), and chat and communicate with other cruise passengers using digital voice. Mom and Dad can even track whereabouts of the kiddos through the rented iPhone and chip integrated into the wristbands received at boarding.
The connectivity of the iPhone and the unrivaled cruise experience of Royal Caribbean. Now that’s smooth sailin’.
Do you have a favorite branded app that has made your life easier?
Thursday evening my father and I had the distinct honor of being special guests at the exclusive Kansas Aviation Museum open house.
By “special guests” I mean we showed up. And, of course, by “exclusive” I mean open to the public.
Though we missed the official unveiling of new areas at the museum, we fully enjoyed perusing the refreshed interior at KAM (after a slice of plane-cake and glass of wine).
This 1931 Stearman Model 4D is being restored by dedicated museum volunteers.
Quite Impressive
I was impressed by my old man’s knowledge of aircraft engines (why rotary engines are more powerful than in-line engines, etc). He was impressed by my knowledge of where things are in the museum (I have been there a few times before, etc). And we were both impressed with the extensive collection of antique and classic aircraft and aviation paraphernalia, all built here in the heartland.
We spent a good while up close and personal with the 1931 Stearman (Model 4D) being restored in one of the workshops. I had an intriguing conversation with the restorers, Ron McCulley and co., about the project. I was in awe that not only do they possess mad skills with wood working and metal craft (rebuilding the wings – struts and all – from scratch), but they have the know-how and wherewithal to cover, stitch and tape the aircraft skin in-house and then apply the dope. (That’s aircraft dope, and no you can’t smoke it.)
The newly painted atrium.
So Much to See
While it was too cold and dark to tour the aircraft on display outside (“can you say spring field trip?”), we had fun viewing the static displays inside. My dad was tickled they even had an original Stearman “sidewalk” children’s bicycle on display (he so wanted one when he was a little tyke). I was tickled they had a Mooney Mite on display (I so wanted to hop in and make vroom sounds, but restrained myself).
After admiring the re-created stenciling on the atrium ceiling, we made a trip up to the control tower. When the tower was added on to the then-Wichita Municipal Airport (in 1941), it was touted as the highest point in Wichita. We figured it was the best way to top off the evening … next to the burger and beer we enjoyed a short drive later.
If you’ve been to the museum, what’s your favorite exhibit or feature?
We launched a campaign today and hope you’ll join in the fun. We’re calling it Do the Deed. It’s all about spreading a good vibe. Doing small acts of kindness that create ripples. That spread and grow.
Do the Deed couples attitude with action. Sometimes it just means being a bit more aware. Less wrapped up in our individual lives and more attuned to those around us. It could be as simple as looking the cashier in the eye and smiling as we get our change. Or simply saying please and thank you. A lot.
We’re not suggesting that being nicer to one another will cure all the world’s ills – but acknowledging people, giving them respect, showing them a little kindness – it can be transformative.
A Movement in Motion
Do the Deed started as our agency holiday campaign. But as we talked about fundamental truths and things that really matter, it became clear. Time to broaden our vision. We reached out to see if anyone had interest in joining our initiative. People did. In a big way.
The Wichita Eagle stepped forward as our lead partner. (Watch for Do the Deed in the daily paper and on Kansas.com.) Intake Studio worked late multiple nights to produce a compelling video and PSAs. Printers offered everything from oversized vinyl graphics to wallet-sized cards. Billboard companies donated digital space in and around Wichita. Wichita State University, Towne East, Towne West, NewMarket Square and Bradley Fair agreed to let us chalk their sidewalks with Do the Deed stencils. Members of organizations like Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas and the Barton International Group are planning deeds even as I write this. The community is taking Do the Deed and running with it.
What will your deed be? Check out our website for ideas and to submit your own.
