Generous donors

When disasters like the earthquake in Haiti occur, millions of people respond with contributions to relief efforts. But the needs of countless other efforts to provide help around the world continue unabated.

A Cape Girardeau group, Celebrate Hope, is trying to raise $100,000 for an orphanage in Swaziland in Africa. Celebrate Hope's fundraising will benefit Heart for Africa, the organization that will run the orphanage. Heart for Africa is, in turn, part of an even larger effort called Project Canaan.

Swaziland has some 200,000 orphans out of a total population of 1.2 million. The country's high incidence of HIV/AIDS kills thousands of children and adults each year.

So far, Celebrate Hope has raised $35,000 of its goal. A Feb. 27 fundraiser is planned featuring Janine Maxwell, co-founder of Heart for Africa and author of "It's Not Okay With Me" about her experiences in Africa.

With so many worthwhile organizations seeking donations for worthwhile efforts both close to home and far away, it's good to keep in mind that all of these groups -- including Cape Girardeau-based Out of Poverty Through Education, which is raising money for relief in Haiti -- can benefit from our generous donations.