Record texting donations for Haiti top 2009

In the short history of donating money via cellular text message, contributions toward Haiti since the earthquake are breaking all records.

Companies are still tallying data, but as of Thursday, cellular phone users donated more than $5 million via text message since the major donation system started at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

That's more than was donated for any cause via text message in all of 2009.

The bulk that cash is headed to the Red Cross and being handled by a Denver-based Mobile Accord.

The company was contacted by the State Department Tuesday and asked to setup a donation account, said the company's chief operating officer, Bradley Blanken. MGive then contacted the Red Cross.

"Yesterday was the largest in single-day donations," Blanken said. The company raised more than $1 million - beating the record for $450,000 when Alicia Keys appeared on American Idol and asked for donations to Keep A Child Alive.

The totals will likely grow much higher, said officials at Verizon Wireless, whose customers have donated more than $1 million so far.

That easily breaks one-day records from previous text message donations, including $400,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005, and $200,000 to Tsunami relief work in 2004.

Officials with AT&T Wireless and Sprint are still tallying early data, but say they're also seeing huge growth in donations, and traffic of SMS donations to foundations affiliated with Rescue Union Mission and the Clinton Foundation. (Former President Bill Clinton is a special envoy to Haiti.)

That kind of growth parallels the growing use of text messaging overall, and the growing awareness of cellular users about how to donate via a text message, said Verizon spokesman Chuck Hamby.

The most prominent system lets cellular phone customers send the message "Haiti" to a special number, 90999. The system then replies with a confirmation request, and then funnels the money to the carrier, which distributes the proceeds to the charity and adds a charge on the customer's monthly bill.

Most carriers are passing along 100 percent of their donations to relief organizations.

"People want to do the right thing and give," Hamby said. "When you make it as easy as tapping out a one-word message, people respond."

Verizon is also promoting one of its affiliated musicians, Wyclef Jean. Callers can text "Yele" to 501501 to make a $5 donation that goes to Jean's Yele Foundation for reconstruction.

Most donation codes should work on any cellular carrier. Callers type a special word, and send it to a designated number. Cellular companies then reply with a confirmation request message. When callers reply, typically with "Yes," the donation is recorded and added to their monthly bill.

• Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 on behalf of the Yéle Foundation, the leading contributor to rebuilding Haiti founded by Wyclef Jean.

• Text "Haiti" to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of The Clinton Foundation (former President Clinton is Special Envoy to Haiti)

• Text "Haiti" to 85944 to donate $5 on behalf of the Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International.

• Text "Haiti" to 25383 to donate $5 on behalf of the Internal Rescue Committee.

• Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the Red Cross in the U.S.