Help Japan
Japan Relief
I've been so touched by many people. I especially want to thank Moms in Business Unite, which issued a press release on March 29 to share my personal connection to the tragedy and ask for donations for Japan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My parents live just north of Toyko, and their home received only minor damage, but my father's whereabouts were unknown for about 18 hours after the earthquake. That was a very scary time; we were so grateful to learn he'd been trapped in the subway without a way to communicate, but he was physically OK.
Fortunately, my parents had already made plans to come here to visit me for my birthday, so I was able to spend some quality time with them shortly after the disaster. It was very emotional for me to say goodbye to them on March 30, but their home has always been Japan and that's where they belong. I hope to travel there this fall to see family and friends.
It's my intention to donate a portion of my company proceeds to Japan Relief. I'm also planning a charity event with few other Japanese women in San Diego to raise money. There is so much needed over there right now, everything from diapers, powdered milk and water to equipment and materials to start rebuilding the damaged areas.
How can you help?
Many people have asked me where they should donate, so after much research and consideration, here are three groups I heartily recommend due to their ability to bring relief to the victims directly, since they have teams positioned in the affected areas.
If you're interested in learning about other great organizations that need your help, categorized by their mission goals and including local government, general relief (humanitarian aid), medical aid, and children's needs, please click here.
1. Japanese Red Cross
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.html
A Japanese-language update on its activities may be viewed here:
http://www.jrc.or.jp/vcms_lf/kyugo_20110315_sokuhou13.pdf
The Japanese donation page:
https://www2.0553.jp/jrc/payment/
accepts credit card donations. Instructions for bank transfers are available on the English donation page.
2. Peace Winds Japan
http://www.peace-winds.org/en/
Peace Winds, whose response to the disaster was immediate, is cooperating with other organizations to provide shelters and emergency supplies in the hard-hit Kesennuma area. Find out more about its activities here:
http://www.peace-winds.org/en/
Donate:
http://peacewindsamerica.org/support/
by check or credit card.
3. Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6216649/k.C304/Oops.htm
Save the Children teams are in Sendai to help children affected by the earthquake and tsunami, and are in the process of setting up protective play areas that help relieve the anxiety faced by children and allow them to spend time with other kids and play while being supervised by responsible adults. The play areas also give parents much-needed time that they can dedicate to finding food sources, work, accommodations and locating other friends and family.
Donate:use this link to the Children's Emergency Fund online.
