A Troubadour's Help for Haiti-James Taylor Performs an Intimate Eveneing

"When your down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
I'll come running,...
Winter, spring , summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there...
You've got a freind..."

Somehow that voice has always been a part of the background music of our lives, always there when we needed a "friend". James Taylor's voice resonates through the soul of sound of our lives and he has been present whenever he felt his voice could make a difference as he does once again this weekend in aid for Haiti.

Of course James Taylor is not the only celebrity helping out but you know that "Help for Haiti, an Intimate Evening with James Taylor" will be without commercialism and exactly as it is billed, and a very special event. After selling out for Friday's performance in 90minutes, James Taylor offered to do a second concert this Saturday evening at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center close to his home in Western Massachusetts. In addition James and his wife Kim will match the proceeds of each sale-tickets range form $100-$1,000 with the monies donated to Partners in Health's Stand for Haiti. Several Public Radio Stations will simulcast the concert with open phone lines for donations-WAMC and WBUR -please check your local public radio station and to make a secure donation visit JamesTaylor.com or Partners in Health.

"Our hearts go out to everyone in Haiti," said Mr. Taylor. "We need to do everything we can to help the country recover after this tragic earthquake. I'm grateful to do my part and hope my neighbors here in the Berkshires will join me and be as generous as possible."

...There but for the Grace...A World in Rubble, How to Help

2010 begins in tears. The images coming out of Haiti after this week's horrific earthquake are simply too horrible to believe. We are left shocked and feeling overwhelmed and helpless. We sit in our own corner of the world, warm and comfortable, and we have to look and we have to do whatever we can.

How can a country already beset by poverty and political unrest come out of this? This country that was trying once again to regain its footing, that had promise of commerce and tourism, has been left in rubble. There is no infrastructure, no government, just devastation. The Red Cross estimates that there are over 50,000 casualties and what of the survivors...three million people have been affected by the 7.0 magnitude quake on Tuesday that left the capital of Port -au- Prince simply in ruins-nothing left,certainly no hospitals-food and water and clothing and of course medical aid are in critical need and it will take a massive international relief effort to reach survivors.

The reality is painful, and we cannot do much... but we cannot turn away. The hope, and there must be hope, is that if the world answers this call together each of us can make a difference.

How to Help:

There are scores of organizations that are coordinating efforts for relief to help in Haiti-Here are few and also visit Network for Good for a comprehensive List

-Quick and Easy- simply TEXT the word HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross or TEXT YELE to 501501 to donate $5 YELE's Haiti Relief Fund

-Yele Haiti

-Doctor's Without Borders

-UNICEF

-The International Rescue Committee

-CARE