Posts Tagged ‘Connor Howard’

Two citizen philanthropists for The Salvation Army’s Haiti relief efforts were featured on NBC Nightly News last night: 9-year-old Connor Howard of Allen, TX, who we recently featured in our blog,  and a hair salon owner in Jackson, MS. These individuals may not have the means to fly to Haiti in their own private plane loaded with supplies like John Travolta, but their creative efforts and contributions are just as meaningful and, in my opinion, even more inspiring.

We may tend to succumb to the mindset that we can only make a difference if we’re wealthy and powerful, but somehow I doubt Connor’s allowance is anything to envy. The little boy’s determined spirit, though, seems to be overly abundant. Armed with a coffee can and a homemade construction paper sign,  he’s raised several hundred dollars for Haiti just by seeking out opportunities to ask for support from friends, family, and anyone he meets along the way.

And who knew a hair stylist could be integral in Haiti relief? Well, instead of thinking, “Why?” we should be thinking “Why not?” That’s exactly what a salon in Jackson, MS decided and opened up shop on a day they were regularly closed. Proceeds from that day’s “Haircuts for Haiti” were donated to The Salvation Army Haiti relief efforts. Sport a hot new hairstyle and help Haiti? Sign me up.

If you would like to support The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, you can make financial contributions by:

• Visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
• Calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Texting the word HAITI to 52000 and confirming with the word, “yes.”
• Sending a check or money order to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

Connor Howard may only be 9 years old, but the young boy isn’t letting that stop him from helping those in need in Haiti.

Deeply affected by the tragic footage covering the news, Connor immediately knew he wanted to do something. That’s when he came up with his own coffee can collection idea, where he will bring a coffee can to school at Boon Elementary in Allen, TX  and collect donations in it for The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

Connor’s mother Christine wrote in an email to The Salvation Army:

“Connor and I were watching the news this evening about the earthquake in Haiti…

Before I realized it they showed a picture of a distraught man, tears streaming down his face as he carried the lifeless body of his baby daughter…

This one scene has had a profound effect on Connor and tonight when I put him in bed he fervently prayed for this man in-particular.

Even as an adult it’s hard to comprehend why certain things happen and why it seems sometimes that God allows them…

Questions that did not escape Connor…

In my futile effort to address these complexities of life, Connor on his own told me that he wanted to raise as much money as he could to help these people.”

Connor, way to go! Thank you for your compassion for Haiti and desire to give.  The Salvation Army applauds your efforts and we hope everyone will support Connor’s goal to raise money for the disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

If you don’t live in Allen, TX and are unable to contribute to Connor’s coffee can collection, you can donate directly to the Salvation Army’s Haiti relief efforts at our secure online donations page.

You can also donate by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, texting ‘HAITI’ to 52000, or sending a check or money order to: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 (*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*).

For more information on what The Salvation Army is doing in Haiti, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org, or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.