It’s hard to feel useful in the face of the unspeakable tragedy in Haiti, but several North County residents have stepped forward to do what they can. On Saturday, January 30, the Savoy in Ferguson will be hosting NoCo for Haiti, a benefit concert featuring music from at least five popular local performers, including Javier Mendoza and The Skyline Band.

Co-sponsored by NOCO, this family-friendly event will also have delicious snacks, auction items, dancing and a cash bar. Admission is whatever goodwill offering you choose to give, so please be generous! Proceeds will benefit the Doctors Without Borders Haiti Fund.

January 30 from 4pm-? at The Savoy, 119 S. Florissant Rd, 63135. For more info, call Chuck Henson at (314) 565-4829.

If you can’t make the concert, perhaps you can help in another way. Ferguson resident Stefannie Wheat (a dear friend of mine) has organized a donation drive for items desperately needed by earthquake victims, with all donations going directly to a Haitian family. Stefannie’s husband works with a Haitian woman named Marie, whose family members survived the earthquake but are now in urgent need of various everyday items.

Requested donations include: adult and children’s clothing (good condition, any size), hygiene items (toothpaste, sanitary products, hand sanitizer, etc), medical items (aspirin, band-aids, bandages, etc) and canned food. Money, of course, is also needed.

Stefannie will be accepting donations at her home and delivering them personally to Marie, who will ship them to her family in Haiti. If you can contribute anything, please drop off items at 403 Harrison in Ferguson (on the front porch if no one is home). Donations will be accepted through Friday, January 29. For more info, call Stefannie at (314) 482-0619.

Thank you!!