How you can help people of Haiti

Monetary donations are the best way to help the people of Haiti, where the worst earthquake in over 200 years devastated the country on Tuesday, according to the Red Cross.

That agency estimates that 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed in the 7.0 earthquake. Hospitals, schools, prisons, and even the huge National Palace toppled.

Sarah Schuck, executive director of the Goodhue County Red Cross Chapter, said the American Red Cross immediately committed $10 million to support relief efforts in Haiti. Priority needs there are food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

She suggested sending donations to:

• Second donations to Haiti Relief & Development, PO Box 37243, Washington DC 20013 (checks made out to Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund)

• Go online to redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS

• Make a mobile contribution by texting "Haiti" to 90999 on their cell phones to send a $10 donation

• Send checks to Goodhue County Chapter, American Red Cross, PO Box 29, Red Wing MN 55066 (made out to the disaster relief fund) to be relayed to the international organization.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management also issued a release, urging Minnesotans wanting to make donations to the Haiti earthquake relief effort to work with trusted, well-established volunteer agencies. Information is available at www.dps.state.mn.us.

The State Department Operations Center has established the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.

Tags: local news, red wing, red cross, news, disaster, haiti