Three Peas Art Lounge is hosting Got DAM! (Dance, Art, Music) tonight. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the American Red Cross‘ relief efforts in Haiti. All event details are above!

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Photo: Getty Images (CNN.com)

Last week on Twitter, I talked about how I represented Haiti superhard in college. I’m not Haitian, but I was an aspiring French minor and wanted all of my classmates to know about the tiny country of freed slaves who had a beautiful culture and spoke French. I had a flag in my bedroom, and even tried to teach myself Kreyol. I never learned, but when I graduated, I had a greater sense of appreciation for the people and history of Haiti.

Fast forward to today, and I think that I’m still absorbing the effect of the devasting earthquake on the country. But, I am encouraged and inspired by the way that the world has responded by donating funds, supplies, attention, and prayers. Here in Chicago, there are plenty of businesses that made donations last week, and many more who are continuing their efforts this week. Here is a roundup of some upcoming events:

1/18-1/24: Wake of the Quake Restaurant Event

Local restaurants will give guests the opportunity to add $1 or more to their checks. All funds collected with be donated to Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit that has set up an emergency fund to aid survivors.

1/18-1/24: AKIRA Shoe Drive

AKIRA Chicago will be collecting used shoes and socks to send to Haiti. You are asked to donate work boots, sport shoes, children’s shoes, and rain boots. The stores hope to collect 1000 pairs of shoes!

1/20: Sushi Samba Meet ‘n Tweet

Sushi Samba locations nationwide will host Meet ‘n Tweets with discounted food and drink specials. 100% of sales of the special TwitteROLL will benefit Haiti relief efforts.

1/21: Wake of the Quake Benefit and Afterparty

In addition to the weeklong restaurant drive, there will also be an event held at English Chicago (444 N. LaSalle) from 6-9p. For a suggested $20 donation, guests will a complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres. There will be an afterparty at Sushi Samba (504 N. Wells) and sales from a specialty roll and signature drink will be donated to Heartland Alliance.

1/30: Fundraiser at Duffy’s Tavern

Come out to Lincoln Park bar, Duffy’s Tavern (420 W. Diversey), and enjoy a drink package and raffles for Blackhawks/Bulls tickets, all while raising funds for the Red Cross. Tickets are $30.

1/30: Hope for Port-au-Prince, Haiti at Yehia & Co Hair Salons

One of my favorite Chicago salons, Yehia & Co., will be donating all salon services to the Red Cross on January 30th. That’s right. Come out and get your hair styled, and they will donate what you pay to Haiti aid. The stores will also collect food, water, and clothing. There are four locations and you can participate at any one of them.

As always you can donate by texting “Yele” to 501501 ($5 donation to Yele) or texting “Haiti” to 90999 ($10 donation to the Red Cross).

If you know of more events happening across the city, please feel free to add them to the comments or @ me on Twitter (@thefabgiver). As long as we continue to do what we can and keep the country in our prayers, then it will get better. Not overnight, but it will definitely happen.

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Louis Vuitton is celebrating the American Red Cross‘ 150th birthday in serious style. During the entire month of November, Louis V will donate 10% of online sales of the following four handbags to the organization! Not that I know everything, but I didn’t know the two entities were linked as such. Regardless, it is a very cool partnership which will work out for our LV and The Red Cross.

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Oh boy, oh boy!!! This weekend, all 35 Chicagoland locations of Jamba Juice will be donating 20% of their sales to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. I thought I’d have something more to type, but I think I’m too busy being in shock. I’m a Jamba Juice junkie, and in the summertime, I tend to replace lunch with the amazing smoothies. Ah, heaven! Okay…Go forth and get your smoothie on this weekend.

Don’t know where your nearest Jamba Juice is? Visit www.jambajuice.com to figure it out!

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Ferragamo is lending its support to the relief efforts in Italy through a Celebrity Handbag Auctions. You will have the opportunity to bid on some GREAT Ferragamo handbags generously donated and signed by Madonna, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria, Lucy Liu, Dita Von Teese, Lily Tomlin, and Marisa Tomei. Some of the featured handbags are below, and you can view the rest on the eBay auction page.

Bidding started on June 2nd and will continue until June 12th. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to GlobalGiving’s Italy Earthquake Recovery and Relief Fund.

Lucy Liu

Madonna

Jennifer Aniston

In talking to many of you, it’s very clear that you’re more than ready for spring to arrive. You’ve picked out new shoes or are planning to purchase some new pairs to usher in the warm temperatures and green grass. Well, as you buy new shoes, at some point you may have to think about what to do with your old ones. If you have a local shelter or thrift store, then by all means you can donate them there.

If you buy your shoes on Piperlime.com, they have a program where you can send them your old shoes within the same box. 

Piperlime’s charitable partner is Soles 4 Souls, a nonprofit organization committed to providing shoes domestically and globally to those in need. Soles 4 Souls has helped individuals everywhere from Appalachia to Southeast Asia. 

So, there you have it. Three simple steps to help you clean your closet and aid the world. And, who says that shoes don’t make the world a better place?

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• The Chicago Auto Show is hosting a food drive to benefit the Chicago Christian Industrial League. When you bring in 3 canned good items from 2/18-2/20, you will receive 1/2 off adult ticket prices. Questions? Click here.
• This Thursday (the 19th), the Auxiliary Board of the Chicago Red Cross is hosting a networking event for young professionals to meet board members and learn the benefits of joining. The event will take place at one of my favs, the China Grill (230 N. Michigan). Get more information on the Chicago Red Cross blog!
• The American Heart Association is looking for volunteers for the Macy’s Go Red for Women Luncheon to be held on Friday, 2/27. If you are available and have experience in leadership development, fundraising, or special events, please send an email to traci.bruce@heart.org.

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As mentioned in my previous note, I watched the Grammy’s, almost in its entirety, for the first time in a LONG time. Before I talk about MusiCares, I’d like to share my Top 5 moments…

5. Whitney Houston on stage looking dazzling, albeit drunk

4. Coldplay’s performance (Chris Martin makes me want to fly when I watch him!)

3. WEEZY!!!!!

2. M.I.A. performing during “Swagger Like Us.” I would’ve taken the chance too…Love her!

1. Jennifer Hudson. Thinking about her strength, poise, and beauty is an overwhelming feeling! 

So, there you have it! 

Ms. Hudson was one of the performers tapped to honor Neil Diamond in a program to benefit the Grammy’s charitable program, MusiCares. The President of the Recording Academy talked about the MusiCares program last night. MusiCares provides support for addiction recovery and flood and natural disaster organizations, along with arts programs in public schools.

In addition to last Friday’s concert and dinner, there will be a charity auction of about 100 items from top recording artists, along with Grammy memorabilia autographed by performers either backstage or during rehearsals. To take a look at the items, head on over to www.ebay.com/grammy.

So, your turn, what was your favorite Grammy moment, and what was your worst Grammy moment?

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The love-fest that is February continues to bring us many great charitable events. This Thursday, the Chicago’s Red Cross Auxiliary Board with host the 8th edition of its “Flirting with Disaster” party. The event will be held on North Halsted Street, at Hydrate (3458 N. halsted). I hear that the Kit Kat divas will be making an appearance! Yes…!

Shlomi, from the NBC 5 Street Team, has more information in his blog entry.

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