I wanted to get back to writing and tell you about some of the stuff my rug rats have been up to lately, but I can’t just yet. I would not feel right if I did not acknowledge the pain, suffering, and total devastation crippling the people of Japan, and provide some of my obsessive web surfing research skills on ways to help.
You just can’t watch the video coverage of the earthquake and tsunami without feeling so horribly helpless for these people. The destruction, it will take years to recuperate. The loss of life, the ones left standing will never be made whole from this heartbreak. Entire towns have been simply washed away. This morning they reported that over 2,000 bodies have surfaced from the water on the coast of what used to be several towns. The recovery effort that must be involved is beyond measure. They need help, desperately.
It seems as though there is always the question of what is coming next, and how often can we come to aid other coutnries, and what about our own problems? How many earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods can we rise to assist? We can’t always respond every time there is a natural disaster.
I cannot tell you how strongly I disagree with that last statement.
Here are a few easy ways that you can help the people of Japan, in some cases even if you do not have a dime to give:
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Japan for over a century and is there now supporting the relief effort. They are in need of cash donations, as it is too expensive to ship in kind donations overseas. Resources are purchased locally, and 100% of your donation is sent to the Salvation Army in Japan to assist the relief efforts. Text the words JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a one time $10 donation which will be charged to your phone bill, or visit the Salvation Army online to learn more about their efforts and other ways to donate.
American Red Cross for Japanese Earthquake Relief
All you have to do is text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10.00 donation which will be automatically charged to your phone bill. It’s easy, effortless, and so very useful. When the earthquake struck Haiti, the Red Cross raised over $20 million with text donations.
Google Crises Response
In addition to a wealth of information for emergency response, Google enables you to donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross Association online in the amount of your choice, in yen. Don’t worry; they help you out with dollar to yen conversion.
Zynga
Gamers are awesome, and so are gaming companies. Zynga has been known for its humanitarian efforts in the past, donating the proceeds of virtual crop purchased in games such as FarmVille, FrontierVille, and Cityville to relief efforts. The most notable (and I recall this well because I purchased some) being the sale of sweet potato seeds for Haiti. Zynga is at it again, donating 100% of the proceeds from their sale of crops to the Save the Children’s Japanese Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Fund. What are you saving those FV coins for? You’ll earn more, just keep gaming and buy some seeds to help Zynga reach their goal of $2 million.
Facebook Causes
The Red Cross gives you another easy way to donate via Facebook Causes. If you don’t have the cash to give, you can also donate your time. Take some quizzes, “like” some pages, and you can earn money to support the relief efforts. You are surfing the web anyway. Why not do it for a good cause?
iTunes
If you are an active iTunes shopper you can donate to the Red Cross with your credit card with just a few clicks. Easy peasy.
Doctors Without Borders
MSF is usually my first choice for donation, and they do currently have mobile clinics on the ground in Miyagi prefecture, however funding for their efforts are currently being drawn from unrestricted donations. Donations to MSF while always important and beneficial will not at this time be directed specifically to the efforts in Japan.
If you were feeling at a loss like me, I hope this has helped. My many prayers are for the people of Japan.
