Utah Flash Donate to Relief Efforts in Haiti

If you’re not following Brandt Andersen’s dispatches from Haiti, you should probably start now. As a man who has lived in the Dominican Republic during the best of times, I can only image what neighboring Haiti is like during the worst of times. In Andersen’s words, “the images will change you. This place has changed me.”

During Tuesday night’s Flash game, just a $5 donation to relief efforts bought two tickets to an upcoming game. Great work by the Flash and Brandt Andersen especially.

From the press release:

OREM, UT, Jan. 20, 2010 – Utah Flash owner Brandt Andersen has traveled to Haiti to assist in the relief efforts following the recent devastating earthquakes. The Utah Flash has also decided to help raise money to donate to the Red Cross during a busy week of home games.

The Utah Flash front office staff has donated one day’s pay to the Red Cross to assist in the relief efforts. The Red Cross had volunteers at last night’s game, and will continue to have volunteers at the games on Wednesday and Friday to collect donations that will be sent directly to Haiti via the Red Cross.

The NBA D-League franchise has also decided to donate a portion of game night revenues from this week’s games to the devastated country. The Flash hope to raise $5,000 during this week’s three home games to donate to the Red Cross.

“We have seen the devastation that is taking place in Haiti and want to find a way to help,” said Flash Team President Joe Brown. “We hope our contribution will make a difference to those in need.”

Andersen traveled to Haiti this past Sunday to assist in the relief efforts. “These are good people who are ready to rebuild but they need help. PLEASE reach out and donate to one of the organizations that are helping. The Red Cross and others are doing amazing good. They are working hard. Be overly generous,” said Andersen in a statement on his blog.

To help fans can call the Flash office and pledge a donation to the Haitian relief fund. All donations will receive a pair of tickets to an upcoming Flash game. Donations can also be made by visiting www.redcrossut.org.

Andersen’s first-person perspective can be followed on twitter by following @flashbrandt, or on his blog at www.dleagueutah.com.