(SAN DIEGO) – Following a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations have gathered together in partnership with the American Red Cross to raise funds for immediate application in Haitian disaster relief efforts.  Canvass for a Cause and coalition partners Courage Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, Equality California, the San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality, Empowering Spirits Foundation, and the San Diego Equality Campaign invite the community to join them in helping the victims of the earthquake in Haiti last Tuesday.
 
“We are excited to be spearheading an LGBT effort to coordinate with the Red Cross on the disaster efforts in Haiti,” said Tres Watson, Canvass for a Cause Executive Director.  “The disaster is such a massive tragedy that we felt compelled to take action and provide some sort of response from the LGBT community to help in the effort.  I think it’s important to show that the LGBT community is also concerned with issues beyond marriage equality, and take an active interest in the greater world community as well.”
 
American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties’ Manager of Development and Communications Ellen Agey thanked Canvass for a Cause for their “commitment to humanitarianism” and thanked them for reaching out to the Red Cross as a partner in the fundraising effort to provide relief to the victims in Haiti.
 
Participants will meet at 6th and Upas Streets at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 17 and will spend several hours educating the public about ways to get involved with Haiti’s relief efforts and raising money for the Red Cross.  100% of all proceeds are being donated directly to the Red Cross, specifically for the Haitian relief fund.  Afterwards, dinner will be provided to the volunteers.
 
Canvass for a Cause is an organization that is dedicated to growing the progressive movement through education, fundraising, training, and donations of human resources to causes throughout the progressive movement.  For more information visit their website.