Oklahoma is no stranger to tragedy and natural disasters. Citizens from across the state have mobilized particularly quickly in order to organize and provide relief for victims of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Several local businesses have also initiated relief efforts and many more have setup storefront boxes or jars to help raise money for charity organizations. Many churches scheduled special collections today for earthquake victims. Combined with national charity organizations like the Red Cross, who have established a text-to-donate operation, and numerous faith-based initiatives, it has never been easier to donate money or goods.

Here's a list of local businesses, churches and initiatives that are participating in the Haiti relief effort. I have not personally verified these, so please contact the organizations first before donating/participating.

Hearts for Haiti Walk-A-Thon

Saturday, January 30 @ Crossroads Mall

The Walk is working in conjunction with the Red Cross and all proceeds will go towards the Haiti Relief fund. Registration and sign-in will be from 7-8:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 8:30am. $5 per walker. You can register by emailing haitihelpers2010@yahoo.com. Visit http://haitihelpers2010.weebly.com for more details.

The Harlem Globetrotters

A portion of gate proceeds from their Oklahoma City game at the Ford Center, January 24 at 3 p.m., will be donated to UNICEF's Earthquake Relief efforts for Haiti.

The Colcord Hotel

The Colcord, in association with Clean the World, is taking toiletry donations. They're seeking unused, unopened products such as soap, shampoo, lotion, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, q-tips and bath gel. Donations can be dropped off at the front door. For more information please visit http://www.cleantheworld.org

DaVinci's Coffeehouse in Enid

DaVinci's is taking donations at the store and will match what they receive. All donations will go to the Red Cross.

Spring Rain Ministries (OKC) and Blusource (Guthrie)

These two organizations have partnered with For Haiti With Love to provide hygiene kits to victims of the earthquake. BLUSOURCE will assemble the kits and cover all shipping. For Haiti With Love will distribute the kits onsite. Kits are $3.50 each. Visit http://www.npowishlist.com/?mid=1997 for more information.

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

Accepting monetary donations that can be sent to:
Oklahoma baptist Disaster Relief -- Haiti Earthquake Relief
The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma
3800 N May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73162

Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma

According to a spokeswoman from Catholic Charties, an affiliate of the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the organization is accepting donations for Haiti relief. If you would like to donate, please make checks payable to: Catholic Relief Services. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at Catholic Charities, 1501 N Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Visit the Catholic Relief Services @ http://crs.org to make donations directly.

Adventist Church

According to Frank Kean with the Edomond Seven-day Adventist Church, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency is shipping relief supplies to Haiti. Kean said you can donated to the Adventist relief agency by calling (800) 424-2372 or by going to www.adra.org

International Pentecostal Holiness Church

Leaders of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, headquartered in Bethany, is sending aid and relief to Haiti. Both immediate and long-term assistance is being provided. To donate, visit www.iphc.org

For OSU students:

ISS, in association with the Red Cross, will have a table set up in the OSU Student Union atrium all of this week and will be accepting donations. If no one is present at the table you may visit the ISS office in the basement (076) and donate there.

For UCO students:

Donation tables will be set up this week at the Student Union. Email studentsforhaiti@gmail.com for more information.

For OU students:

The Black Student Association, Women of Power, and the Medical Ethics and Issues Discussion Panel are particpating in the Hearts For Haiti Walk-A-Thon mentioned above. I imagine there'll be a place on campus to donate, but since the spring semester hasn't started yet for OU, a specific spot is probably still in the works. For the latest in OU's relief efforts, visit the OU Helping Haiti Facebook group. 

I hate having to say this, but take care in your charity efforts. Be knowledgeable about the organizations you're helping and stay cognizant of fraudulent entities. Sadly, these tragedies tend to bring out the best and worst in people.

For the latest information regarding relief efforts going on across the state, visit Oklahoma's Disaster Relief Effort For Haiti Facebook group. Many of the organizations on this list came from the posts at that group, and both the administrators and members have done an excellent job publicizing information related to local relief efforts.