How do the funds raised via text for Haiti earthquake relief efforts compare to past disasters?
A Funds raised for the Haiti earthquake relief efforts show the public’s desire to generously help those that have been affected by this disaster. The Red Cross has seen donations via text in response to past disasters. In 2008, approximately $250,000 was raised via texts in the wake of Hurricane Gustav and other hurricanes. In response to Hurricane Katrina and the hurricanes of 2005, approximately $120,000 was raised from texts. Convenience, familiarity with text messaging and proliferation of social media may account for some of the reasons why donation through text messaging has seen such a dramatic increase.
