The negativity here is amazing. Jeff Lorton is in direct contact with an agency, Lifeline, already in Haiti. This agency has provided guidelines as to what is needed in Haiti and will receive the container in 4-6 weeks. I was on the front lines yesterday and 30 of us separated the useful from the useless (using the guidelines provided by Lifeline) with speed and efficiency. Donations were not randomly boxed...food, baby (formulas, diapers, etc.) hygiene/medical, and a small amount of clothing were all boxed and paletted in their categories. People came out of the woodwork to donate and help. Most donations received were new. US Bank is matching dollar for dollar...making this grassroots venture truly worthwhile. The shipping logistics have been arranged. This huge container will be full of food, hygiene supplies, baby formulas, etc. Do you have any idea how much fits in a 40 foot container? A lot. There is a place for all generosity and to fault Jeff Lorton is ridiculous. I agree--relief effort donations need to be guided by people who know exactly what the needs are. That is exactly what Jeff Lorton has done, by coordinating with Lifeline. One can only think the majority of relief efforts and funds will go to Port-Au-Prince but this container will go to rural areas. Mr. Lorton personally purchased the container before the former presidents asked for money. He made things happen fast. Good going, Jeff Lorton, and the hundreds of people who came to donate and help.

These comments crack me up. Little do you know how successfully it all went down.
Not just one, but TWO 40 foot containers were filled by Jeff and crew (and all awesome Portlanders who ACT instead of TALK), AND were among the first containers to arrive at their final destination, through a port Jeff found that had not been destroyed by the earthquake. Jeff's a do-er. Now go back to bed Graham.