Text Messaging Accrues Over $4M for Haiti Earthquake Relief

In spite of constant layoffs and a (seemingly) still drowning economy, Americans set a record for mobile giving yesterday. Tens of thousands of cell phone users texted donations that totaled $3 million. This record-setting amount of donations to the Red Cross will benefit the recent Haiti earthquake. According to Daily Finance, yesterday’s record blew away previous single-day mobile giving numbers. The Indian Ocean tsunami crisis in December 2004 brought in $200,000, and in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina received $400,000. The Haiti earthquake hasn’t seen anything yet, though.

News of the earthquake rang around the world, perhaps much more quickly than news of Google leaving China. And this also seems to be the case for news of text donations; word has spread like a viral video on YouTube. The dollars are still banking in by the text message. Right now, donations to the Red Cross, alone, have succeeded the $4 million mark.

Wait, there’s more. Twitter is abundant with tweets about donations to various organizations. Google live search also shows a constant stream of chatter. Even the President is spreading the word. If you would like to contribute, here are a few organizations accepting donations via text:

Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross.
Text “HAITI” to 85944 to donate $10 to the International Medical Corps.
Text“HAITI” to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Foundation.
Text “HAITI” to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee
Text “HAITI” to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada.
Text “HAITI” to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way.
Text “YELE” to 50150 to donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Yele fund.

As we are becoming more comfortable and reliant on technology, I wonder what numbers the our next mobile giving record will reach… What do you predict?