Local and global initiatives to help Haiti’s earthquake victims
One euro can make a difference in the race to help the people of Haiti following last week’s devastating earthquake. On the domestic front, the Skai group (Skai TV, radio station Skai 100.3 and www.skai.gr) and Unicef are joining forces in a telethon scheduled to take place on Monday, January 25. The telethon will also be featured on the following radio stations: Red 96.3, Freedom 88.9, Melodia 99.2 and various radio stations that collaborate with the Skai group around Greece. As of 6 a.m. on Monday and running to the early hours on Tuesday, Skai and Unicef will set up camp in Zappeio Hall in a specially designed studio for radio and television broadcasts – Skai anchorwoman Sia Kosioni will be coordinating the event’s televised leg. The telethon will feature journalists, along with politicians, artists, actors and athletes. Also available in situ will be a large transparent cube for families, students and any passers-by to drop off any amount they wish to. As of today, donations can also be made via telephone by calling 901.11.171717 (the 3.56-euro charge includes VAT) or via SMS (send the text «AITH» to 19454, the 1.19-euro charge includes VAT). The following bank accounts also accept donations for the victims of the Haiti quake: National Bank of Greece: 169/480023-04; Alpha Bank: 115 002002 022472 (procedure K03); ATEbank: 017 04 00593488; Piraeus Bank: 5049-045921-741; Eurobank: 0026.0102.13.0200612226; Emporiki Bank: 66360008. According to the organizer’s, 50 euros could provide 120 boxes of biscuits; 100 euros could provide vaccination against meningitis for 3,750 children, while 3 euros can provide 350 tablets to purify 1,400-1,750 liters of drinking water. On the global front, the music channel MTV is organizing a large-scale telethon, «Hope for Haiti Now,» featuring a string of stellar performers. The two-hour event will broadcast live on MTV Greece starting at 3 a.m., early Saturday morning, January 23. The charity telethon will take place simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York, London and Haiti. Coordinating the global event are George Clooney from Los Angeles, Wyclef Jean from New York and CNN’s Anderson Cooper from Haiti. A long list of performers have pledged to support the upcoming event. Performing from London is Coldplay, with Bono, Beyonce Knowles, the Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna appearing in a group performance; Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting will perform in New York; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will go onstage in Los Angeles, where Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow will also make a group performance. For more on the events, visit www.skai.gr and www.mtv.gr.
