I’ll not pretend to understand more about earthquakes than what I really do.

It has something to do with the shifting of the plates within the Earth’s crust and some areas are more susceptible to them than others.

Aside from that, I don’t know very much about them.

I watched from the comforts of Demopolis has the horrors of last week’s 7.0 earthquake unfolded on my television. To date, thousands of people have either been killed or are unaccounted for.

That number seems to climb daily.

Thousands of people have rushed to aid the country in any manner possible. Mostly that aid has come through donations.

Former presidents, the National Football League and countless others have joined forces to funnel money to the victims of the quake.

I saw a commercial during last weekend’s NFL playoff games that you could text message a $10 donation. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.

As a part of the Demopolis effort, the Demopolis Times is partnering with the American Red Cross. Hopefully, we can aid in some way with what monies we will be able to provide.

In the coming days, you may be contacted by an employee of Circulation, Inc. Many of you may have already received this call.

We have contracted with this agency. They will be calling those of you who have let your subscriptions lapse and offering to renew your subscription. A portion of that renewal will go immediately to the American Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts.

There’s not much we can do for the people in and around Port au Prince other than keep them in our prayers and help them secure clean water, food and clothes.

The Red Cross has already pledged millions of dollars in relief along with providing first aid services, which right now are invaluable.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Those of you who receive a phone call about renewing your subscription, we hope you will allow the Demopolis Times to once again service your home so that the Red Cross will be able to help countless Haitians salvage theirs.

I thank you for your continued readership and support.

Jason Cannon is publisher of the Demopolis Times.