Online charity collection spikes

San Mateo-based Keynote Systems Inc. began tracking performance Wednesday of charitable Web sites like Unicef, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army . It said part of the International Red Cross's site crashed under the load of people trying to donate money.

Della Lowe, a Keynote spokeswoman, called the scale of the tragedy unprecedented, and its response perhaps as great.

The Web sites "have done a pretty good job," Lowe said, handling the thousands of fingers tapping in credit card numbers.

Keynote reported the Red Cross and the Salvation Army had longer response times when the Web addresses were accessed, but said the sites were mostly prepared.

The American Red Cross said about $18 million had been donated this week.

"I'm heartened that the American people are turning to the American Red Cross as a conduit for their compassion and concern for the families affected by the tsunami and Asia," said American Red Cross President Marsha J. Evans, in a statement.

"I want to assure donors that their intent will be honored," she said, adding that it will be "as transparent as possible."

San Mateo-based Peninsula Community Foundation has also set up a Web site to direct donations to the Red Cross, Unicef, Doctors Without Borders and three other charitable organizations. It is at www.pcf.org/seasiarelief.html.

The Red Cross is accessible online at www.redcross.org, the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmy.org and Unicef at www.unicef.org.

Stephen Baxter can be reached by e-mail at stephen@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.