Here's a chance to make a difference.

There are so many needy people and so many worthy causes that people cannot donate to them all. By necessity, it becomes a matter of picking and choosing based on individual preferences and capacity to give.

For those moved by the endless suffering in Haiti caused by the January 2010 earthquake, there's an especially good opportunity to help out.

Eighteen local medical volunteers will be traveling to Haiti this spring to help with relief efforts. They're giving up vacation time in the service of others, and they could use a little help. The group – 16 health care professionals from Carle Hospital and two Urbana Fire Department paramedics – are trying to raise $20,000 to cover their travel expenses as well as the cost of flying donated medical supplies.

What selfless actions on their part and what a great opportunity to assist them for our community.

Those wishing to make a donation can send a check with the notation "Team Haiti" to the Carle Development Foundation or give through the http://www.carle.org website.

Obviously, most charitable activity is directed locally, and for good reason. But the tragedy in Haiti, a wretched poor country, has drawn a worldwide response that continues to this day.

These local volunteers feel compelled to use their skills to minimize the suffering. You can help them.