All American Rejects' Tyson Ritter Focuses on Haiti Over 'Fad Causes' (Video)

All American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter started his own charity, Don't Hate on Haiti, which benefits Charity: Water to provide clean water for the people of Haiti.
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All American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter started his own charity, Don't Hate on Haiti, which benefits Charity: Water to provide clean water for the people of Haiti.

After being shocked by TV footage of the earthquake in Haiti, Ritter met Charity: Water's Scott Harrison at an event. The kismet and coincidence prompted to him focus on how he could do his best to help the relief effort.

Most recently, Ritter's non-profit teamed with Valiant Watches, allowing 25 percent of the proceeds to go to Don't Hate on Haiti. From there, 100 percent of the proceeds go to Charity: Water.

"I'm sort of like a middle man that focuses just on Haiti," says Ritter.

He makes it a point to note Charity: Water's informative and inclusive process for any donator. "Every dollar that you give, they give you a geotag for your project." So those who fund can track the change that they provide.

Ritter was tired of so-called "fad causes." After all, it's estimated to take 30 years to repair the damages from the earthquake.

"It's funny how we Americans -- whatever's hot the next week -- we can turn a blind eye to what happens right in front of us. And it doesn't go away," Ritter says. "The problem's still there and until it's gone I'm going to do what I can to help out."

On the music side of things, he'll be using his upcoming All-American Rejects tour with Blink-182 to spread awareness about the non-profit's effort.

His band also has a new album out called Kids in the Street. Even though they're embracing Twitter and other forms of social media, Ritter jabs: "We're a band that started before MySpace and YouTube." With every album they release, there's a new potential marketing platform to embrace.

But he won't lie. He loves it.

Follow Don't Hate on Haiti on Twitter.
Visit Don't Hate on Haiti's website.
Follow Tyson Ritter on Twitter.
"Like" Tyson Ritter on Facebook.
Check out the All-American Rejects' new album.

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