Before VibrantNation became our online community, I knew women who had stopped responding to global tragedies because they didn't trust that their donations would be put to their intended use. Others of us continued to write checks, shooting them off into the darkness with little more than a prayer and a song. Often, we felt isolated and powerless, shivering beneath the enormity of need, not knowing where to begin.

But that's changed. As a conversation started by Lynnette has shown us, together we can figure this out. We can come together with whatever it is we have to offer - insider knowledge, research, inspiration, support - and know that we are making a difference.

The conversation was begun by Lynnette, within moments of the earthquake hitting.

Lynnette wrote: Haiti "has gone through so much and it is so poor! Now a 7.0 earthquake. The politicians steal everything so please do not send any money to the government if asked. Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic charities, anybody else but politicians. Pray hard for these people, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."

With this, the conversation was off and running: a living, organic ebb and flow of questioning, probing, stories and insight. Here are some of the themes.

Tamara spoke for many of us when she echoed Lynnette's concern: "I will donate as soon as I find out if my money is actually going to a devastated Haitian and not getting tangled up in a bunch of bureaucratic bunk or to take care of some agency's administrative costs...I'm doing my homework first."

In such an environment, who can we actually trust? How about suggestions from people in our community with direct ties to Haiti? MissKitty, for instance, who "this morning sat with a neighbor and watched her little girl while she made call after desperate call trying to get news of her family members in Haiti. If she is able to reach any of them, her other friends and I will find out what they specifically need and try to send it. Meanwhile, you're absolutely right - donate only to reputable aid agencies."

OHnurseinFL said to yakkity1: "Doctors without Borders is an excellent way to help Haitians. Medical needs are vast even on a good day....they are need of medical care desperately. My husband is Haitian and I am friends and coworkers of many Haitians. We here in the Florida medical community are poised to help when the call comes.”

And this, from Claire Abel. "I have an ex and his family that have been in Haiti for 16 or more years - www.haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com. They run a rescue center and clinic - they are in Cazale in the hills but having to sleep outside. They have been treating people in Port au Prince now they are having 4.5 aftershocks rocking and cracking the clinic and rescue center."

By the fourth day, we had collected an impressive list of charities that can be trusted to put our donations to work quickly and efficiently — and in the ways and places we hope to make the contribution that will be most meaningful to each of us.

For Spiritual Spa TECH, the charity is www.lifeline.org that employs over 400 Haitians and, amongst other things, runs an orphanage in Port au Prince. For Shelby Etheredge, it's Nourish the Children that makes nutritious meals in bags with just the right amount of vitamins, carbs and proteins for a growing child. "They are already in Haiti working with the locals." For Kerida, "Someone has to help animals, too." She is with a group that has developed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) to assist in the response efforts, "and all animal welfare organizations are invited to join the ARCH and direct their financial support to the coalition."

There's lots more, but a quote from Lutie says it all: "Thank you all for donating to help Haiti. I became a Vibrant Nation member few minutes ago. I saw the site by accident. I signed up by curiosity. By browsing thru I saw that I have a lot in common with the members. I know for sure I'll visit this site a lot."

And the last comment goes to Lynnette: "Welcome Lutie, you will love this site. You can tell us anything and promise to keep the secret :) Vent, we are the best psychologists and we are free!" more inside the nation»