Joshua Haas was inspired by his wife's kindergarten class to create simple fused-glass flag jewelry to raise funds for disaster relief.
The devastating earthquake that left much of Haiti in need of massive emergency relief has fueled a high-tech outpouring of donations from Americans moved by the plight. Tens of millions of dollars have been raised through text messages, Facebook drives, and the power of other social-networking media. Creative individuals are also using the Internet to raise money for the relief and rebuilding effort, as in the case of a Toledo, Ohio, glassblower who created a fused glass Haitian flag he is selling on Ebay.
Joshua Haas, a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, was inspired by his wife’s kindergarten class project to work with fused glass. He decided to offer a simple but powerful design modeled after the flag of Haiti, donating 100-percent of the proceeds to the disaster relief effort.
“[They] had a fusing project recently, they all made pendants and were so proud, I figured the energy could translate to another similar project,” he emailed in response to written questions by the Hot Sheet.
Haas has created an edition of 50 fused glass Hatian flag pendants, which sell for $20 plus shipping on eBay. By donating his own expenses and time, he says that all proceeds will go to the Clinton Bush Hati Fund, established at the request of President Obama to provide immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts.
For others inspired to raise fund for a cause, eBay has a feature called eBay Giving Works, where sellers can donate anywhere from 10- to 100-percent of the sale price of their items to a worthy non-profit. If you’re a shopper, you can also search for items which donate a portion of their selling price to a charitable cause. According to the their website, eBay Giving Works has raised over $150 million for nonprofits since 2003.