As New Yorkers, we’re not exactly known for being subtle, especially when it comes to griping, ranting, “flaming,” wailing, whining and other derivations of what we call “asserting ourselves.” But for all of our complaining, we still know how to go big when it comes to giving back. As images of a devastated Haiti flicker across our television and computer screens - in particular, the pictures and video of Haiti’s tiniest victims, many wearing diapers and not much else - we can’t help but wonder what we can do to assist. UrbanBaby has come up with a list of companies and organizations, many in the
baby/child/maternity world, that are organizing fundraisers and sales to help victims of the Haiti earthquake:

*****FUNDRAISING EVENTS*****

Babybites
Babybites is hosting two simultaneous charity events on Fri., 1/29 from 6:15-7:15pm at New York Kids Club locations on the UWS and UES. Families can enjoy 30 minutes of free play in NYKC’s state-of-the-art gyms and then a performance by Music by Aardvarks. All NYKC employees plus Collin and Mike of Music by Aardvarks will be donating their time. One-hundred percent of proceeds will be donated to the UJA-Federation Haiti Relief Fund. $40 per family. RSVP to ronni@babybites.net. UWS New York Kids Club - 169 Amsterdam Ave. at 68th St. UES New York Kids Club - 219 E. 67th St. between 2nd and 3rd Aves.

Citibabes
This mecca for hip, downtown urban babies and their parents (with a second location in Scarsdale) will be donating a portion of its proceeds (from class registrations, membership sales, birthday party and retail sales) from the month of January to the Red Cross. In addition, Citibabes kids will be hosting a bake sale with all proceeds going to the Haiti relief effort. citibabes.com.

Divalysscious Moms
Help Haiti Heal Relief Kids Concert
Rock out with some of the hottest tot bands on Sat. 1/30, 10am-2pm. Featured groups and singers include Bari Koral, Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck, Doni Zasloff Thomas (aka Mama Doni) and Princess Katie & Racer Steve. Divalysscious Moms is the ultra-chic moms’ group “where high heels meet high chairs.” (Divalysscious Moms’ relief concert following the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster raised $15k!) Suggested donation is $50 per family. RSVP to rsvp@divamoms.com. The concert will take place at the Rodeo Bar & Grill, 375 3rd Ave. at 27th St. divamoms.com.

*****SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE*****

Baby star
This apparel and accessories company is all about modern, organic, affordable green classics. Baby star will donate 10% of January sales to Mercy Corps. Shop at babystar.com.

Bump Brooklyn
The motto of this hip maternity store in the heart of Brooklyn’s booming “baby district” is: “Give up wine, coffee, sushi - not fashion.” Starting Fri. 1/22, get up to 50% off Bump’s fall/winter merchandise. The store will donate 10% of this weekend’s sales to Save the Children. Bump Brooklyn is located at 464 Bergen St. between 5th and Flatbush Aves. 718-638-1960. Weekend hrs.: Fri. & Sat., 11am-7pm and Sun., noon-6pm. bumpbrooklyn.com.

Lemonade
This UES newcomer on Lex. is sure to quench your thirst for stylish but streamlined kids’ clothes that aren’t over-the-top. Boutique owner Maggie Eigen, a former NYC preschool teacher, is donating a portion of her proceeds to the Haiti relief effort. Shop at Lemonade at 1038 Lex. at 74th St. 212-585-4371. Store hrs.: M-F, 10:30am-6pm and Sat., 11am-5pm.

Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool
Miss Brittany is an NYC preschool teacher who developed organic fun dough (play dough). Her company is donating $2 for every purchase made at organicfundough.com to the Jewish Federation Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund. One-hundred percent of collected donations will directly support non-sectarian needs on the ground in Haiti. Emergency relief will be distributed through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and IsraAID.

Oeuf
The New York-based design company will be donating 10% of all online sales through the end of February to Save the Children for the Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund. (Oeuf was years ahead of the eco-friendly trend.) This fab company offers delicious Alpaca sweaters, jumpers, dresses and hats as well as sleek, modern baby furniture. Shop at oeufnyc.com.

Petunia Pickle Bottom
This pioneer on the couture diaper bag scene is hosting a two-day outlet sale starting today. Twenty-five percent of sale proceeds will go to Jacmel, Haiti (15 miles from the earthquake epicenter in Port-au-Prince) and orphans at the Hands & Feet Project (a children’s village). The money will be used not only for immediate relief but also to help the organization prepare for the onslaught of children orphaned as a result of the earthquake. Save 30%-60% at petuniaoutlet.com.

Puj
Puj designs products to “simplify parenthood.” The company recently launched a cool, soft infant tub that folds up and stores flat. Puj is donating 10% of online sales to Save the Children. Go to pujbaby.com to shop.

Skip Hop
This NYC company, known for designing mod, innovative products for parents and babies, will be giving five percent of all Web site sales to purchase formula, diapers and other essential infant supplies for the youngest earthquake victims. Skip Hop has already donated more than $10,000 worth of baby formula to Partners in Health to assist in relief efforts in Haiti.
Shop skiphop.com.

*****OTHER WAYS TO DONATE*****

American Red Cross
We love our cell phones, and apparently we love donating with them. In an online Washington Post article, staff writer Thomas Heath reports that the Red Cross has received $22 million via text-message donations for Haiti “far outpacing the charity’s previous record of $400,000 for emergency relief using similar technology.”
Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your phone bill. redcross.org.

Save the Children
This organization has worked continuously in Haiti for more than three decades. Since the earthquake, Save the Children staff members have been distributing life-saving medical supplies and hygiene kits. They’re also setting up child-friendly spaces in camps for displaced families, so kids can have structured activities and areas to play. To give money to Save the Children, you can text “SAVE” to 20222 and a $10 charge will be added to your phone bill, visit savethechildren.org or call 1-800-728-3843.

UNICEF
UNICEF is the lead UN agency for water and sanitation in the quake zone. The organization has been sending and distributing medical aid and shelter materials in addition to water and sanitation supplies. To donate money to UNICEF, visit unicef.org or call 1-800-FOR-KIDS (1-800-367-5437).

Photo credit: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

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