Valley giving to Haiti lags Katrina tally

Las Vegans gave more money to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and at a faster pace, than they are so far to Haiti earthquake victims.

The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross has collected a little more than $100,000 over a three-day period during a telethon for last week's 7.0 earthquake that devastated the nation's capital city.

That's compared with $435,000 in donations the chapter received in one week after Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005. The public gave $180,000 in one day alone.

During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that nearly wiped Indonesia off the map, Las Vegans gave more than $248,000.

United Way of Southern Nevada has received some money but is forwarding donors to United Way Worldwide and the Red Cross during Haiti relief efforts. In 2005, the local United Way received $350,000 for Katrina. Most of that money was used to relocate casino employees. Tsunami donations were about $50,000.

"We're focused more on long-term relief rather than immediate needs. Those are handled by the Red Cross," said Dan Goulet, chief executive and president.

The same holds true for national charities.

Donations for Haiti earthquake relief are outpacing donations from the days after the Asian tsunami in 2004 but haven't kept up with the outpouring of gifts following Hurricane Katrina.

A tally by the Chronicle of Philanthropy shows $305 million was donated to 32 U.S. charities by Thursday. In the eight days after Katrina flooded New Orleans, Americans had given at least $580 million. By this time after the tsunami, U.S. charities had raised $163 million.

Editor Stacy Palmer says the speed of giving for Haiti has been astonishing.

In the first four days after the earthquake, U.S. charities had received $150 million for Haiti -- outpacing the response to both Katrina and the tsunami.

Celebrities will help boost fundraising for Haiti with a telethon today.

Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.