The efforts to help Haitians in the aftermath of the earthquake that tore apart their lives last month are too many to count, proof that when people want to band together and help those in need, anything is possible.

In addition to the major efforts, through groups like Partners in Health, the Red Cross, and Dine Out for Haiti, smaller benefits have been cropping up throughout the country to do their part in rebuilding a devastated country and its people.

On February 20th, New Yorkers will have the chance to run for Haitian relief, in a 4-mile foot race sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club. Though most NYRR races cost $20 for non-members and $17 for members, this one is $40 for everyone, reminding entrants that they're not just there to run a PR (personal record) or complete their first race. The NYRR has also made it possible to participate in the race without leaving your toasty bed, or even being in New York City, that Saturday morning: you join the field as a "virtual runner" for $30.

On February 8th, Chicago's Hope for Haiti -- not to be confused with the nonprofit organization Hope for Haiti or Hope for Haiti Now -- (I said the efforts were too many to count) will host a telethon/concert featuring the rapper Common, the Grammy Award-winning singer Tarrey Torae, and the gospel singers Donald Lawrence and Marvin Sapp.

Then, of course, there is the 20-song "Hope for Haiti Now" album, the first digital-only record to top the Billboard album charts, featuring songs by Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, and Justin Timberlake. And let's not forget the Quincy Jones-produced remake of "We Are the World" featuring a who's-who of the music world, including Kanye West, Celine Dion, Carlos Santana, Harry Connick Jr., and Barbara Streisand, among a few dozen others.

Such widespread devotion to a cause offers hope not just for Haiti, but for humanity as a whole. It proves that collective altruism is still possible, and that our species may not be so self-serving after all. If you know of other efforts to aid the relief effort where you live, please drop a comment so that others can join the cause.

[Image: Twitpic]

You know that it is indeed a Great Recession when NASA's Moon program -- once the hallmark of America's idealism -- is cut. Budget Director Peter Orszag explains why some NASA spending got the axe in the new budget. NASA's Constellation Program, which had sought to send American astronauts back to the moon by 2020, is one of the more startling casualties in President Obama's $3.83 trillion budget for fiscal year 2011.

Aside from the scientific data gained from such game-changing missions, NASA's Moon program has greatly benefited society as a whole. The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, one of the consequences of the space program, has as one of its technological spin offs, the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) chips which digital image breast biopsies. Another NASA spinoff that has benefited many is its water purification technology.

With the latest budget cuts, who knows what other innovations we might miss out on in the future?

Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former National Security Advisor under President Jimmy Carter, talked about Haiti with Fareed Zakaria on CNN's GPS this Sunday. He gives one of the most serious foreign policy answers to the question of: How does one handle Haiti?

After the tens of millions of dollars have made its way to Port au Prince, what is to be done? UN Special Envoy Bill Clinton, clearly, has the gravitas, but there are so many players, like the EU and various Latin American countries with their own agendas and a limited number of ports of entry. This is the sort of international reconstruction project that dwarfs even Clinton's formidable energies. Haiti is coming out of over 200 years of superhuman cruelty -- colonialism and neocolonialism -- at the hands of the West. That, and the lack of fundamental civic institutions in place makes me skeptical about whether or not: a) the bulk of the monies being raised will be put to the most effective use and, b) that some long-term structural improvements will be made to the country, so as to stave off similar incidents happening when -- not if -- the next natural disaster occurs.

"I think we ought to have some arrangement involving the U.N., which perhaps could create some accommodation with the Haitian government, allowing for a form of transitional, international trusteeship for the recovery of Haiti," said Dr. Brzezinski. "This will take a very major international effort. The United States, of course, will have to take the lead in it in terms of putting resources into it. But I would think other countries -- particularly Latin American countries, even Central American countries -- ought to be heavily involved."

Bashing the United Nations was a spectator sport in the era of neoconservatism. Now, however, the indispensability of the United Nations -- especially in the case of international disasters -- is powerfully evident. Dr. Brzezinski mentions that Haiti might be put into a United Nations receivership until it recovered. East Timor, which is now something of a success story, was once a UN receivership -- under legendary Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello -- and it was a good thing. Dr. Brzezinski is optimistic -- as am I -- about the human capital of Haitians once they are ensconced in stable countries and are given a fair chance at achievement.

"You know, it's rather remarkable the way the Haitian communities perform in America," said "Zbig." "And there have been some studies of that. And they show that the Haitian communities, given the right opportunity, thrive, and are very dynamic and very creative. They have, actually, a kind of tradition of self-development, which is rather impressive.

"I think, if the framework for that country could be, somehow or other, improved through international assistance, through some transitional arrangements which permit some U.N. supervision, I think the human capital in Haiti could help to recover and overcome the kind of obstacles and tragedies that the Haitian people have had inflicted upon them -- either by nature or by poor, oppressive, corrupt governments."

This photo was taken as part of a Neighborhood Notes story about plans for Blanchet House to expand in Portland, Oregon. Blanchet House serves 600-900 meals a day to the homeless and provides a safe environment for men who are seeking to end their homelessness and commit to living clean and sober. The building in which Blanchet House resides is old and in disrepair. A capital campaign is being launched to construct a new building next door with larger dining facilities, and beds for up to 40 men. Blanchet House presently has 29 residents. This photo shows two of the residents preparing dinner. Residents are required to work in the kitchen while they regain control of their lives.

Neighborhood Notes offers community-focused news like no other source. With thoughtful and investigative reporting, we are committed to bringing the stories that are often overlooked, but that matter to the people who call Portland home. We create conversations that encourage participation, action, and collaboration. We care because this is our city, too, and we strive to be a resource that fosters communication and connections across all 95 of Portland's diverse neighborhoods.

Not all American efforts abroad are met with protest and scorn. In this video, emailed to reporters by White House staff with the subject line "AMAZING VIDEO," we see members of an American rescue team pulling a woman from the wreckage of last Tuesday's earthquake. Outside, they are cheered on by Haitians, shouting "U.S.A! U.S.A!"

I am a natural-born American, and that's a chant I've only voiced ironically, to make fun of misguided patriotic fervor. But in this instance, it seems to reflect sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support this country has shown the people of Haiti in the past week. And that's something we can be proud of, patriotism notwithstanding.