Haiti: How to help

Locally based agencies along with other international relief organizations are accepting monetary donations to help with aid efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. (Meanwhile, beware of scams.)

American Red Cross, 800-733-2767 or www.redcross.org, or text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. Also, here's a list of Red Cross chapters and ways Seattle-area residents can help.

Mercy Corps, Portland, 800-852-2100 or www.mercycorps.org

Northwest Medical Teams, Portland, 800-959-4325 or www.nwmedicalteams.org

World Concern, Seattle, 800-755-5022 or www.worldconcern.org

World Vision, Federal Way, 888-511-6548 or www.worldvision.org

American Jewish World Service, New York, 212.792.2900 or www.ajws.org

Lutheran World Relief, Portland, 410-230-2800 or www.lwr.org/

United Methodist Committee on Relief, New York, (800) 554-8583 or http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

UNICEF To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region, please visit: www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) To donate to the official humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. Call 1-877-HELP-CRS or www.crs.org, or send a check to CRS/ Archdiocese of Seattle, 710 Ninth Ave, Seattle, Wa. 98104

Starfish Ministries The organization in Lynden, WA supports an orphanage in Haiti. To donate call (206) 795-5762 or vistit starfishministries.org.

Salvation Army Donations can be made through 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or www.salvationarmyusa.org, or text "Haiti" to 52000 to make a $10 donation.

InterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations, has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. www.interaction.org

International Rescue Committee: Visit www.theIRC.org or call toll free, 1-877-REFUGEE.

Oxfam: Visit www.oxfam.org.uk

USA Today NGOs, faith-based organizations contributing to relief efforts. Visit Kindness: New ways we give and volunteer

MSNBC: A list of charitable organizations in the U.S. coordinating relief efforts. Visit Haiti Earthquake: How to help

Charity Navigator's list of organizations working in Haiti and their charity ranking. Visit www.charitynavigator.org.

Better Business Bureau's tips on text donations. Visit BBB advice on donating by text.