Rory McIlroy puts U.S. Open preparation on hold for ‘inspiring’ two-day trip to earthquake-ravaged Haiti - The Washington Post

Rory McIlroy puts U.S. Open preparation on hold for ‘inspiring’ two-day trip to earthquake-ravaged Haiti - The Washington Post: "Monday morning, McIlroy flew to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on a goodwill mission for UNICEF. Since returning, he has changed his Twitter profile picture from a photo of him, as a toddler with a golf club, to one of him, as a smiling young man holding a smiling Hatian child. He has considered, over and over, what he saw a full 18 months after a devastating, 7.0-magnitude earthquake ravaged an already poverty-stricken country."

How Social Media Can Aid Disaster Relief

How Social Media Can Aid Disaster Relief: "But it's also become more clear that Facebook, and other social media services, like Twitter, can be used for good. This is perhaps most apparent in social media's role in disaster relief."

Lapsed Donors Deliver

Lapsed Donors Deliver

Engage365 - Clever people sharing ideas to make events better

Engage365 - Clever people sharing ideas to make events better: "You may know KiKi L’Italien as the moderator of Association Chat (#assnchat), or as host of the webcast, The Social Media Sweet Spot, but Joplin Missouri knows her as one of its own.

Like so many families, KiKi’s was hit hard by the recent tornado that devastated her hometown. Now she is teaming up with her sister Kylee Coffman and pal Lindsey Rosenthal of Events For Good to create a fundraising event, June 13 from 6-9 pm in Washington DC, to benefit Joplin. She recently shared a little about the upcoming fundraiser entitled Show Me Support For Joplin, A Red Tie Affair and her experience as a result of the tornado."

Disaster relief legislation remains in limbo as political gridlock returns to Diet - The Mainichi Daily News

Disaster relief legislation remains in limbo as political gridlock returns to Diet - The Mainichi Daily News: "Disaster relief legislation remains in limbo as political gridlock returns to Diet

Nearly three months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Diet has passed just 13 post-disaster restoration bills, far less than the 17 equivalent bills passed in the wake of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995."

Baptist Press - New Eng. disaster relief: 'an open door' - News with a Christian Perspective

Baptist Press - New Eng. disaster relief: 'an open door' - News with a Christian Perspective: "BRIMFIELD, Mass. (BP)--Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is ramping up in New England a week after three tornadoes ripped across western Massachusetts from Springfield to Brimfield, killing four and impacting 19 communities.

The EF3 tornado that severely damaged Springfield June 1 remained on the ground for 40 miles or an estimated 70 minutes, with wind speeds clocked at nearly 160 miles an hour."

Facebook assembles group to plan for disasters - CNN.com

Facebook assembles group to plan for disasters - CNN.com: "About a dozen disaster-relief workers from governments and nonprofit organizations convened this week for a five-hour meeting at Facebook's offices here in Palo Alto, California, and via teleconference from Washington.

While the groups, which included members from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and California Emergency Management Agency, were grateful for the gesture, they were not above taking good-humored jabs at Facebook for its rocky relations with government."

Gulf Coast Community Foundation doles out $250,000 in grants to 4 area nonprofits | gulflive.com

Gulf Coast Community Foundation doles out $250,000 in grants to 4 area nonprofits | gulflive.com: "ULFPORT, Mississippi -- Four nonprofit organizations together received $250,000 Tuesday with the grants to be used to address some of the unmet needs of individuals, families and children affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its aftermath.

Tuesday's ceremony marked the initial awarding phase of a $4 million grant from the Fund for Gulf Communities created by an anonymous donation to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Numbers Game: Counts of Victims of the Haitian Earthquake Vary Wildly

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Numbers Game: Counts of Victims of the Haitian Earthquake Vary Wildly: "A consultant study leaked to the press last week concludes that the numbers of victims killed or displaced in the Haitian earthquake were significantly exaggerated. The report, commissioned by the U.S. Agency for International Development, suggests that only 46,000 to 85,000 people were killed, a huge number to be sure, but significantly below the 200,000 to 300,000 estimates of many aid groups, not to mention the official Haitian estimate of 316,000"

Editorial: Our own tornadoes | Editorials | projo.com | The Providence Journal

Editorial: Our own tornadoes | Editorials | projo.com | The Providence Journal: "Many New Englanders seemed surprised at the severe damage done by tornadoes in western and central Massachusetts last week, which killed three people. They shouldn’t be; we get some in our region most years. Kudos to state and local officials for their fast and effective response to the disaster.

But yes, it paled in comparison with that which obliterated much of Joplin, Mo., on Sunday, May 22. After eliminating a long list of missing, officials confirm 138 killed."

The steeple may be gone, but this church is unbroken - The Boston Globe

The steeple may be gone, but this church is unbroken - The Boston Globe: "During the first Sunday service since three tornadoes ravaged central and western Massachusetts, worshipers including volunteers and veteran congregation members packed the nave to hear a message of hope and community.

“Any time there is a disaster, even people of faith have questions,’’ Marrone said. “Why did this happen? Where was God?’’"

Oxfam Investigating 'Irregularity' in Pakistan Flood Aid - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Oxfam Investigating 'Irregularity' in Pakistan Flood Aid - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Oxfam Investigating ‘Irregularity’ in Pakistan Flood Aid

June 6, 2011, 10:06 am

The global relief charity Oxfam has started an investigation of its flood-aid work in Pakistan after internal monitoring found a “financial irregularity,” reports the BBC"

A vow to build again - BostonHerald.com

A vow to build again - BostonHerald.com: "The communities of Monson, Springfield, West Springfield and Brimfield were the hardest hit by three freak tornadoes Wednesday that killed three people, downed thousands of trees, destroyed entire neighborhoods and displaced hundreds."

Massive recovery effort in tornado zone - BostonHerald.com

Massive recovery effort in tornado zone - BostonHerald.com: "We’re transitioning from life-safety issues to beginning the recovery efforts and continuing to support the local communities in providing resources they and their residents need to get back on the road to recovery,” said Scott MacLeod, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency."

Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) Website

Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) Website: "The Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) is the interagency focal point for coordinating the mobilization of resources between the twelve Federal and State Dispatch Centers of the Southwest Area and, when necessary, the National Coordination Center in Boise, ID, for assignment throughout the nation. Located in Albuquerque, NM, the SWCC mobilizes resources for wildland fire, prescribed fire, and other all-risk incidents. In addition, the Center provides Predictive Services and Intelligence related-products in support of incident management decision-making for wildland fire managers and on-the-ground wildland firefighters."

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011: "Employees who are out of work due to tornado damage may be eligible for either regular unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance. In addition, filing and waiting periods may be expedited for disaster victims. For example, Missouri has waived the waiting period to collect benefits in two counties.

Here's information on how to file for unemployment benefits in your state and a list of State Unemployment Offices."