3/14 post: Aid

Hi Friends:

As you all know, Japan was struck by a tsunami (and earthquake aftershocks) on Friday. My heart goes out to everyone there, but truly, my heart is not all that useful to them. So, here are some ways to donate. Please forward, so that people who want to contribute will know which ways are the most useful (for example, clothes and food are ok, but money gets there the fastest):

-Salvation Army:
 * Text “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation
 * Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

 * Donate online at http://www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
 * Send a check, marked “Japan earthquake relief” to:
    The Salvation Army World Service Office
    International Relief Fund
    PO Box 630728
    Baltimore, MD 21263-072800

-The American Red Cross:
The Red Cross has already launched efforts in Japan. Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.
-Save The Children
Save the Children has also responded.
The organization is currently organizing efforts and donations to its Children’s Emergency Fund will support outreach. Also, buying digital crops could help children affected by the earthquake.
Zynga, known for its effective social good campaigns, has partnered with Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Fund to get its users to donate money through the purchase of virtual goods in CityVille, FrontierVille, FarmVille and its other games.
100% of the proceeds from the purchase of sweet potatoes in CityVille, radishes in FarmVille or kobe cows in FrontierVille will go towards Save the Children’s efforts to provide relief in the Pacific. The world’s largest social gaming company is shooting to raise $2 million for relief efforts.
- International Medical Corps
To donate or learn about other ways you can contribute to its medical response, visit Internationalmedicalcorps.org. Also, text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.
- GlobalGiving.org
The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched at GlobalGiving.org to garner funds that will be given to a variety of relief organizations helping victims of the earthquake. It has already raised over $100,000, particularly from concerned Twitter users around the world.
- Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in Japan.
To learn more about the organization’s efforts or make a donation, visit Doctorswithoutborders.org.
- Operation USA
Along with an appeal for monetary donations, Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. If you are interested in donating bulk medical items, visit OpUSA.org.
- PayPal
Judy Chang, head of PayPal’s nonprofit group, announced that transactional fees incurred by money transfers to US 501(c)(3) organizations (or charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency) between March 11 and April 10 will aid relief efforts in Japan.
- AmeriCares, ShelterBox and MercyCorps
Other relief organizations are also sending representatives to disaster sites, including AmeriCares and Shelterbox.
MercyCorps is gathering donations for its overseas partner, Peace Winds Japan, which currently has personnel on the ground distributing emergency relief in Japan.
 - iTunes
I can't find the page, but iTunes has a set up for donations that will go to the Red Cross.
-Lady Gaga
She designed a rubber bracelet for people to buy. It doesn't say exactly where the money will go or how it will be spent, but it's the Gaga: she's all for truth, beauty, and self-expression, so she wouldn't cheat us, right? http://ladygaga.shop.bravadousa.com/Product.aspx?cp=14781_42444&pc=BGAMLG88

Finally, if you are searching for a loved one, check out Google. Along with a tsunami alert posted on its front page, Google has launched the Person Finder: 2011 Japan Earthquake to help connect people that may have been displaced due to the disaster. Google has also launched a crisis response page filled with local resources and emergency information.
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or 202 647-5225.
Take care and be well,
meredith