Charitable Donations To Haiti - Tax Concern

Under a bill signed by President Obama on Friday, January 22, 2010,

taxpayers will be able to write off charitable donations (that

are made by the end of February 2010)  to Haiti on their 2009 tax

forms.  This action was taken to encourage more donations to Haiti.

Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

source:  Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project website

              http://www.ilapmaine.org/news_and_events.html

    In response to the horrendous earthquake in Haiti, on January 14, 2010, the U.S. government announced that it would grant Haitians who were already in the United States on January 12, 2010 (the date of the earthquake) Temporary Protected Status ("TPS") for 18 months. This means that many Haitians who were already in the U.S. on January 12th, whether on temporary visas, or undocumented, will be able to apply for legal status and obtain work permission. Not every Haitian will be eligible, and no one should apply without seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration advocate to fully understand the eligibility requirements and the evidence that must be submitted for a successful application. The application period began on January 21, 2010, and applications must be received by Immigration no later than July 20, 2010. ILAP is happy to help Maine's Haitians determine if they are eligible and assist them with the application process if so. Please contact ILAP if you are a Haitian seeking more information and help with TPS.

Large International Donors Meet at the United Nations to Discuss Building a New, Transformed Haiti  (submitted by Konbit Sante)

April 1, 2010

Dear Friends,
 
A large group of international donors met yesterday in New York to begin to develop a long-term plan to build a new, transformed Haiti.  In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon set the tone saying, "As we move from emergency aid to long-term reconstruction, let us recognize that we cannot accept business as usual.  What we envision, today, is wholesale national renewal, a sweeping exercise in nation-building on a scale and scope not seen in generations.  In partnership with the United Nations, Haiti's leaders are committing to a new social contract with the people."  Referring to the plan proposed by the Government of Haiti, he said, "... it is a plan to create a 'new Haiti.'  A Haiti where the majority of people no longer live in deep poverty, where they can go to school and enjoy better health, where they have better options than going without jobs or leaving the country altogether."
 
You may have read news coverage of this important meeting, but we would like to give you links to the report from the Government of Haiti assessing the needs and outlining themes including commitment to good governance, deconcentration of economic development and social infrastructure beyond Port-au-Prince, public partnership with the private sector, and new levels of commitment and accountability.  
 
www.haiticonference.org for an outline of the conference and a link to the Government of Haiti plan.
www.haiticonference.org/documents.html for additional conference documents
 
We are encouraged about the tone of this meeting and will eagerly watch as plans and programs develop.

About Konbit Sante

Based in Portland, Maine, Konbit Sante's mission is to save lives and improve health care for the people of northern Haiti through collaboration and empowerment. In Haitian Creole, a konbit is a traditional Haitian method of working together to till your friends' fields as well as your own. The word sante means health. For more information about Konbit Sante's programs in women's health, pediatrics, disease prevention, procurement and management of medical equipment and supplies, improvement of water quality at the regional hospital, community collaborations, and more, please visit www.healthyhaiti.org.

Konbit Sante is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation organized in the State of Maine. 

Stacey Anderson of Hiram shared the following information in an August 8, 2010 email:

“My daughter Karie - then 9 years old - decided she wanted to do something to help the people of Haiti. I had contacted the Red Cross for her, and helped her find a location to hold the bake sale she had chosen to have. She telephoned many of our friends and family, asking for their help in baking for her.  She and I stood outside, wearing snow pants, mittens, and hats on a bitterly cold day.  She raised a total of $600, which we donated to the Red Cross for Haiti relief.”

Billy Call of Hall’s Shop N Save in Cornish, Maine, welcomed Stacey for her bake sale and actually matched the money she earned.

Karie Anderson held a highly successful

bake sale for the work of the Red Cross

in Haiti.  She earned $600!