Amid the many reports about the many fatalities and still-dangerous conditions in Haiti after a devastating earthquake Tuesday, one question has been constant: How can we help?
Well, if you don't decide to use the text-donation service vouched for on the , there are many ways you can have an impact in Chicago. Here are the upcoming events:
Trader Todd's Adventure Bar
8-10 p.m. Thursday, January 14; minimum $15 donation
Head to this island-themed Lakeview bar for two hours of open bar (all domestic drafts, house wines and well cocktails) and passed appetizers (chicken fingers, fries). All proceeds benefit the Red Cross.
Le Passage Discotheque
6-9 p.m. Friday, January 15
Bring canned goods and a full wallet to this party - all the food and tips you give will go straight to Haiti. Former Bear Jerry Azumah and media personality Kelli Zink will guest bartend. The bar plans to host subsequent fundraisers on January 22 and 29.
Manor and RiNo
Friday, January 15
Instead of appearances from "Jersey Shore" cast members, these clubs will host impromptu benefits for Haiti, with a portion of the cover charge at both spots going to the Red Cross.
Bleeding Heart Bakery
Friday, January 15-Sunday, January 17
Buy the special banana cupcake with pineapple jam and coconut frosting ($3) at this popular organic bakery this weekend (Chicago and Oak Park locations), and the proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Even better, if you go to the Chicago location on Friday, you might get on TV, as TLC will be there from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rockit Bar & Grill (Wrigleyville)
9-10 p.m. Saturday, January 16; $20
Your donation gets you free drinks and appetizers for an hour at Billy Dec's Wrigleyville spot. RSVP to .
Hearty
For once, comfort food is actually good for you (your soul, at least). Steve McDonagh and partner Dan Smith will be donating five percent of their gross profits for the week to the International Medical Corps.
mk
Monday, January 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; $50
You'll get drinks and hors d'oeuvres at this classy party, with the restaurant matching all donations.
Hideout
Monday, January 18, 8 p.m.; $20
Local bands Waco Brothers and Eleventh Dream Day play this special show benefiting Partners in Health, which has been working on the ground in Haiti for over 20 years.
Meson Sabika (Naperville)
Tuesday, January 19, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
All dining sales at this upscale Spanish restaurant will be donated to the Red Cross.
DMK Burger Bar
Tuesday, January 19-Sunday, January 24
You can feel good about buying a burger at this new gourmet spot in Lakeview, as 25 percent of all sales during the week will be donated to the Red Cross.
Hotel Allegro Chicago
Wednesday, January 20, 8:15-9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Stop by the Kimpton Bake Sale for breakfast or lunch. All proceeds from the pastries sold will benefit Oxfam Interational's Haiti Relief Efforts. Find out more on Facebook.
SushiSamba Rio
Wednesday, January 20
Purchase an $8 Twitteroll (tuna, avocado, jalapeno and tomato salsita) and the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.
English
6-9 p.m. Thursday, January 21; $20 minimum donation
Donors will get one drink and light appetizers courtesy of English. Find out more on Facebook.
Lizard's Liquid Lounge
Friday, January 22
Tip well on those $4 Stella bottles tonight at this Northwest Side bar, because all tips collected by the bartenders will go toward Haitian relief.
Helping in the Wake of the Quake
Monday, January 18-Sunday, January 24
Many Chicago restaurants will offer diners the chance to contribute to Haitian relief efforts by adding $1 to their check during the week. All proceeds will be donated to the Heartland Alliance. Participating restaurants include Avec, Blackbird, Crust, Piece and more (full, regularly updated list here).
Martyrs'
Saturday, January 23, 2-4:30 p.m.; $8 or $5 with nonperishable donation to the Chicago Food Depository
Time Out Chicago hosts this chili cook-off, with a portion of proceeds going to Oxfam. The Chicago Stone Lightning Band performs.
Chopin Theatre
Sunday, January 24, 8 p.m.; $15
Reggae/Middle Eastern band Magic Carpet performs at this all-ages show, proceeds of which go to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago's Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund.
Francesca Restaurants
Monday, January 25
All 19 restaurants in this beloved Italian chain will donate 100 percent of their dining sales on this day to the Red Cross.
Tapas Valencia
Tuesday, January 26, 4-10 p.m.
This South Loop spot will donate 100 percent of its dining sales on this night to the Red Cross.
Rodan
The Wicker Park bar is selling Port-au-Prince Mules (Moscow Mules with rum instead of vodka) for $7, with all proceeds going toward the relief effort.
Province
Thursday, January 28, 5:30-8 p.m.; $40
Enjoy cocktails and appetizers with a Spanish twist while benefiting Doctors Without Borders' work in Haiti.
Moonshine
Saturday, January 30, 3-8 p.m.
Eat or drink at this Wicker Park favorite and you'll be doing your part to help Haiti, as 50 percent of all sales during that five-hour period will be donated to Concerned Haitian Americans of Illinois. You'll also be able to bid on items in a silent auction.
Bottom Lounge
Sunday, January 31, 6 p.m.; $20
Join Chicago's music industry for a special evening including a red-carpet reception beginning at 6 p.m., a Grammy viewing party and silent auction from 7-10 p.m. and a concert featuring Marvo, Amina, Trig, Screaming Rachel and others.
Reggie's Rock Club
Sunday, January 31, 8:30 p.m.; $15
The "Every Drop Counts" benefit raises funds to provide clean water for earthquake victims in Haiti. And it does it in style, with a lineup that includes Fred Hampton Jr., M1 of Dead Prez, Jean Grae, Mystic, Rhymefest, The Cool Kids, BBU, Mic Terror and more. Get tickets here.
Durty Nellie's
Sunday, January 31, 2-8 p.m.; $10-$20 suggested donation
Help support the Grace House of Hope Girls Orphanage in Haiti by heading to this benefit concert featuring The BBC, Timbre, Page 3 and more. All door proceeds, raffle-ticket sales and 10 percent of food sales will go to Impact for Jesus, which is working on rebuilding the orphanage.
Haiti-Ade
Through Sunday, January 31 at various Rush/Division bars; $6.50
You've heard of Haterade...now there's Haiti-Ade, a Kraken Rum-based cocktail being sold at numerous Rush/Division area bars (Hangge Uppe, Pippin's Tavern, River Shannon, Mother's Too, The Original Mother's, The Lodge, Streeter's Tavern, She-nannigans, Bootlegger's, Mahoney's Pub & Grille). All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.
Art + Science
Sunday, February 7
Get a haircut! No, seriously...all proceeds from haircut sales on Sunday will go to Little by Little, which runs health care programs and other projects in Haiti. Check out the website for locations.
House of Hope
Monday, February 8, 7 p.m.
A host of stars will be on hand at this South Side arena for Chicago's hope for Haiti benefit concert. Expect performances from Common, Donald Lawrence & Co., Lalah Hathaway, Shirley Caesar, Marvin Sapp, Regina Belle and others, plus appearances by Mayor Daley and Governor Quinn. The concert will double as a telethon, which will be broadcast live on WJYS TV, with proceeds going to Yele Haiti, Samaritan's Purse and International Childcare.
Martyrs'
Monday, February 8, 8 p.m.; $10
The Nefarious Fat Cats, Drama Junkies and Two Aglets Jazzing will perform at a benefit concert for Haiti. Proceeds will go toward Partners in Health.
Close Up 2
Wednesday, February 10, 6-9 p.m.; $20-$25
This installment in the Flirting for Disaster networking series offers the chance to find a potential date while also doing some good. Proceeds from the event, which includes hors d'oeuvres, $5 Effen martinis, tarot-card readings, raffles and more, benefits the American Red Cross.
Lumen
Saturday, February 13, 9 p.m.; $5 in advance, $10 at the door
Your ticket to this benefit event (donations go to the Jewish Federation Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund) includes a private hosted cocktail reception (sponsored by Absolut Berry Acai) from 9-10:30 p.m., DJ'd music, dancing, giveaways (including a $5 Salad Spinners gift certificate to the first 200 guests), drink specials and more.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5211 Carpenter, Downers Grove
Sunday, February 14, 4 p.m.; $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Enjoy live music from Paris Delane, LED featuring Mia Koehne, Dave and Chris Gessner and the 4D's at this fundraiser for the Haiti Mission Project, which has worked with orphanages, hospitals, education programs and trade schools in Haiti for years. There will also be a silent auction featuring Haitian art.
Raven Theatre
Wednesday, February 17, 8 p.m.; $15
In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Raven Theatre announces a benefit performance of the courtroom classic, "Twelve Angry Men." One hundred percent of the proceeds are going to the American Red Cross for relief efforts. The benefit takes place during previews for the show.
Vertigo
Wednesday, February 17; $35
Illinois State Treasurer and U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul, and 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly are the honorary chairmen of this event benefiting Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees. For more info, go here.
Old Town Social
Thursday, February 18, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; $20
The Social Network hosts this Lock & Key party (you'll get either a lock or key, and have to find someone with the matching component) featuring a private Stoli cocktail reception (6:30-8 p.m.). Your donation benefits the Haiti Health Foundation.
Michael's Chicago Style Red Hots
Friday, February 19; $50 suggested donation
Enjoy cocktails, dinner, music and dancing at this Highland Park hot-dog restaurant; your donation goes to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen
Saturday, February 20, 9 p.m.; $2
Blues, funk and soul band Soul Vitamins plays a special concert at this Crystal Lake bar, with all proceeds benefiting American Red Cross Haiti Relief. Specials include $3 well vodka, gin and rum drinks and $5 Red Bull cocktails.
Three Peas Art Lounge
Sunday, February 21, 3-6 p.m.; $30 in advance, $35 at the door
This event, part of the nationwide Stir It 28: Food Bloggers Align for Haiti, features a cash bar and house cupcakes for sale. For more information, go to the website.
Arboretum of South Barrington
Sunday, February 21, 4-8 p.m.
Take advantage of one of many services at the Arboretum's Spa Bleu, and all proceeds will go directly to the Haiti Relief Fund. Available services include women's haircuts ($40), men's haircuts ($20, express manicures ($25) and pedicures ($40), 15-minute neck, shoulder and scalp massage ($10), face peel ($35), brightening facial treatment ($25), anti-aging facial treatment ($25) and Buff & Polish ($15).
Martini Park
Friday, February 26, 5:30-9 p.m.; $40 , $50 at the door
, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, hosts this party featuring an open bar and complimentary appetizers. The admission fee will go to Partners in Health, which has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years.
, 941 W. Lawrence
6:30 p.m.; free
The "Helpin' Haiti's Children" concert event features performances by Joe Jencks, Sam Williams and other local musicians. Bring along donations of clothes, baby formula, diapers and anything else you think might help - it'll all be given to the . Cash donations will be given to Doctors Without Borders. Call for more info.
Threadless
Purchase a t-shirt from the locally based designer ($10); all proceeds up to $100,000 will be donated to the Red Cross.
