Atlanta Based Non-Profit Looking to Give to Earthquake Victims in Haiti

Feb. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- ATLANTA – The Atlanta based non-profit, Lendego known for helping individuals in need, recently launched an internet campaign to raise funds for earthquake victims in Haiti.

A peer-to-peer organization, Lendego typically connects individuals or giving teams with other individuals, families, groups or organizations in need. The non-profit recently expanded their giving efforts due to the national tragedy that hit Haiti.

“The magnitude of the destruction caused by the earthquakes is so broad, that it’s almost impossible to comprehend,” said Lendego’s Founder, Dennis Hodges. “This is a tragedy that needs the support of every organization no matter how big or small. It is an honor for Lendego to give what we can.”

Lendego was founded in October of 2009 by Atlanta native, Dennis Hodges after a mission trip to Honduras in 2007. While in Honduras, Hodges worked with a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Hondurans experience financial freedom and success through micro enterprise lending. Inspired by the idea of peer-to-peer lending, Hodges began researching how he could help Americans do the same.

The Lendego Web site was ready to launch when the city of Atlanta was flooded in September of 2009. Seeing Georgians struggle to survive with nowhere to turn caused Hodges to rebrand Lendego and the site turned from a peer-to-peer lending site to a peer-to-peer giving site.

“The September floods changed the mission of Lendego for me,” Hodges said. “I realized that there are people who are affected by the tragedies of life on a daily basis. One day can turn someone’s life upside down and it’s often difficult, if not impossible for those individuals to receive the financial help they need. I realized that with Lendego I was in a position to help.”

On October 1, 2009 Lendego, the online peer-to-peer giving Web site was launched. In addition to project Haiti, current projects include: national and local causes such as breast cancer research, diabetes research, Sheltering Arms or Kirby Independence as well as international programs such as Honduras Homes.

Individuals or families struggling with difficult circumstances can contact Lendego for assistance. Recipients can post a need themselves or be submitted by a “sponsor” -- family members, a friend, church, employer or another nonprofit that is working to help meet the individual's need. After the need is verified by Lendego, the recipient’s story is posted at www.Lendego.org; where givers can browse all the needs and select those they wish to help. Givers can give the amount they choose to each recipient. Once the need is met, Lendego disburses the funds directly to the family or individual in need.  
   
Lendego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Ga. that helps meet the needs of others by connecting them with individuals wishing to give. Lendego empowers its donors to choose the individuals, families, groups or organization they want to help. Powered by givers, Lendego positively impacts the lives of real people with real needs. With Lendego’s peer to peer giving platform, funds can be designated to specific individuals, families, groups or organizations in need. To learn more about Lendego, to post a need, to help someone in need or to donate to Lendego or learn more about its upcoming fundraisers and special events, visit http://www.Lendego.org, follow along with Twitter http://www.twitter.com/lendego or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lendego or call 770-559-3072.