I struggle to write this post.  I wake up every morning in a warm home, with plenty of food in my refrigerator and in my cupboards.  I flip a switch and the lights come on.  I turn a faucet handle and have warm water in which to shower.  I drive to work in the morning and don’t have to worry about putting gas in my pickup, because I have a job and money in my checking account.  I am greeted by warm morning light in my rearview mirror that gives me hope for a wonderful day.

By contrast, those in Haiti stand in line and are grateful for their allotment of rice and hope it is enough to feed their family.  Some go without.  They scramble for shelter.  They worry about their loved ones, if they can even find their loved ones.  Their world is in chaos.  They wonder if there will ever be hope again for a wonderful day.

There is a website, To Haiti With Love, that is holding an online auction of art, photography, papercrafts, clothing, and creative goods. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the St. Joseph’s Family of Homes for children in Haiti via Broken Wings Missions. The auction is based in Canada and the bids are in Canadian dollars.  The auction items have been donated from all over Canada and the USA, as well as England, Ireland, and Australia.

A note from Peter Eyvindson, the founder of Broken Wings Mission (copied from the To Haiti With Love site):

The UN has hired 30,000 people — mostly women — to begin the cleanup of Port au Prince. While it’s great to know that so many people are finding work, it’s distressing that these workers are paid only $5.00 a day.

For us in the developed world, it’s difficult to wrap our heads around the economic realities of Haiti. But looking at this from the perspective of the Haitian worker, this is work that they would not otherwise have. That five dollars, in real terms, means that these women workers are able to feed their children.

So to the bidders: your enthusiasm so far is overwhelming. Every time you add a five dollar pledge to an item, you offer the same impact as a day of employment for a woman in Haiti. A day of food, of shelter, of safety for her children.

The auction opened on Monday, February 1, 2010 and closes at midnight EST on Monday, February 8, 2010.  There is still time to bid on some really fantastic items.  I was outbid on one item, but as of right now am the only bidder on another really cool item – check it out here.  Better hurry!!  [Edited to add]  I was outbid on this one, too, at the eleventh hour.  I’d been checking all day and thought I was going to get it, but this is better because they now get even more money.  Yay!

Also, The Enchanted Oak is donating $2 for Haiti for every blog who posts a simple things list.  Write your list, link to The Enchanted Oak and leave a comment there so she knows.  An easy way to help out those in need.

I am excited to announce a partnership with Think Pink Photography. Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. In their words:

We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause.

Through our professional photographer network, we are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.

To support the cause, we have partnered with The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. As a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Danielle Beverly and her husband Eric joined together to form a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Please subscribe to our blog (on the Think Pink website) and tell your friends and family about Think Pink Photography. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

I encourage you to view their website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Think Pink Photography! If you hire me, mention Think Pink and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Think Pink session, please contact me for details.

I am very proud to be a network photographer with Think Pink Photography, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Think Pink Photography website at: http://www.thinkpinkphotography.org