In the eloquent words of the world's most beloved humanitarian, Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
"If we could but recognize our common humanity, that we do belong together, that our destinies are bound up in one another's, that we can be free only together, that we can survive only together, that we can be human only together, then a glorious world would come into being where all of us lived harmoniously together as members as one family, the human family."
On January 12th when the devastating 7.0 Earthquake rocked Haiti to the core, leaving thousands dead, unfathomable destruction of infrastructure - the response around the world was instant - food, medical aid, military personnel, NGO staff and volunteers have been on the ground since the first earthquake hit. Following devastating aftershocks earlier this week, and as relief and rescue efforts give way to recovery and rebuilding efforts -- there is an overwhelming need to come together as 'The Human Family.'
The numbers are staggering -- 80,000 people buried in mass graves. 2 Million homeless. Haiti needs to be rebuilt from the very ground up. Canada, being a country of compassion has offered long term support -- most recently in the form of desperately needed medical aid.
The massive recovery & rebuilding efforts that Non Governmental Organizations have begun and will continue to work on for years to come require a huge influx of funds to facilitate Haiti's very rebirth. To that end, a collaborative television event - Canada For Haiti - will air on Friday, January 22nd on all three major Canadian Networks (Global, CBC and CTV). Hosted by Cheryl Hickey, George Stroumboulopoulos and Ben Mulroney -- this one hour, commercial free event, airing at 7pm CT, 8PM ET, 9PM MT and 9:30NT will feature leading Canadian musicians, actors and entertainment personalities will precede the US based event coordinated by George Clooney.
The event will be simulcast on CBC Radio2, MuchMusic, MTV and National Geographic and provide those who wish to donate to help, the means to do so. Not only are the network collaborating on this production, but the NGO's that are the leading Registered Charitable Organizations that will be in receipt of the giving have shown a commitment to working together to maximize the impact of the dollars that will be raised. Canadian based Organizations that will benefit from this telethon include: Red Cross, Care Canada, Free The Children, Plan Canada, Save the Children and World Vision.
Meet Your Hosts...
Cheryl Hickey
George Stroumboulopoulos
Ben Mulroney
In press releases earlier today, the lineup of performers scheduled to appear is a veritable who's who in Canadian entertainment, all joining together to show support and help raise desperately needed funds.
Tragically Hip will headline the musical lineup. Also scheduled to appear:
K'naan, Wayne Gretzky, Nelly Furtado, James Cameron, Measha Brueggergossman, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida, Simple Plan, Jason Reitman, Norman Jewison, William Shatner, Joshua Jackson, Eugene Levy, Sandra Oh, Tom Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Ryan Reynolds, Michael J. Fox, Rachelle Lefevre, Hugh Dillon, Brent Butt, Will Arnett, Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer Craig Kielburger and Alex Trebek. Special messages from Prime Minister Harper and Governor General Michaelle Jean - herself of Haitian descent will also be featured.
According to George -- 'There will be surprises... perhaps.'
What won't be a surprise will be just what Desmond Tutu spoke about... that Canadians will be touched, give generously and take our rightful place as key members of the Human Family.
Please donate now to Canada For Haiti or you can text your donation
or call
this number is up and running until Feb 12th
you can watch the show again HERE
NGO group Canada for Haiti: Text Aid to 45678 ($5)
The Salvation Army in Canada: Text HAITI to 45678 ($5), or text "ASTRAL" to 45678 ($10)
Plan Canada: Text HAITI to 30333 ($5)
World Vision Canada: Text WORLD to 45678 ($5)
Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative: Text HAITI to 20222 ($5), or text "QUAKE" to 20222 ($5)
UNICEF CANADA: Text GIVE to 45678 ($5)
The Canadian Red Cross Society: Text REDCROSS to 30333 ($5)
