Here in the Netherlands donation drives for the tsunami relief funds are getting unexpected help from all directions - one town council decided to donate 1 euro per citizen and asks all other cities to do the same (if followed by all towns that would mean over 16 million euro), listeners to a "top-2000 songs" radio show are calling for listeners to donate "2000 euro-cents", a central bank account has been openend backed by just about all major charities to coordinate funds, and, well, I could go on forever, and I'm sure it's the same where you, dear reader, are living. Companies as well: Apple, Google and Amazon changed their home pages to make donations easier.
In the mean time, lots of folks are posting about "stingy countries". I suggest we stop that now, because, wether it's true or not, I don't care about that any more. What I'm seeing around me is making me proud - people really care, and that gives us all hope for the future. The average Joe, in the end, is a Good Person!
In the Netherlands, it's a habit to celebrate new year with a lot of firework at midnight. My weblog is among many to call to all Dutch to send the money they planned to spend on fireworks to charity instead. I'm sure there's something similar you can come up with for where you are living.
The Silver Lining for this disaster is this: despite differences in religion, race, or whatever, when it comes down to it, People Care!