I often realize how much I take for granted - a healthy family, a nice home, clean clothes, good schools, delicious and abundant food, clean water. Then something like the earthquakes in Haiti happen and make me realize how much I have to be grateful for, and that I want to do SOMETHING to help others less fortunate. I wrestle with the idea of donating money vs. collecting items of necessity. Maybe it's my mothering instinct that makes me want to provide decent clothing and food, but I'm learning that sometimes the best thing we can do is give money to organizations that have the skills and resources to buy exactly what a community needs and actually get it to them. Oxfam America is such an organization.

The "Power of One" is the independence of spirit that allows one to survive any situation, regardless of how hostile. I hope each one of you will contribute to my goal of raising $1000 for Oxfam America to help the people of Haiti survive this crisis.

I heard an interview with a woman who works at Oxfam in Port au Prince, Haiti. Her boss was killed, her home destroyed, and yet she was tirelessly doing all that she could to help her fellow Haitians. Please join me, if you will, by giving whatever amount you see fit, to my fundraiser. I thank you.

About the photo: It's titled Laughing Girls and was taken by my dear friend Veronica Costello after Hurricane Andrew left the area of Homestead and other parts of South Florida practically decimated. The home of these two Haitian girls was destroyed and yet they still found reason to laugh with reckless abandon. That, my friends, is the Power of One.