The news is bad. As of this post, it is estimated that possibly 10,000 people have perished in the disaster in Japan. If you’re like me, you’re wondering what you can do to help.
I have created a list of a few organizations that are seeking donations.
- Red Cross- You can make donations to the Red Cross via iTunes as well.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America- 100% of all funds donated to the ELCA go to help the relief effort, responders are already on hand to help victims in Japan.
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency International’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- All Hands Volunteers’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- AmeriCares’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Baptist World Alliance / Baptist World Aid’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Brother’s Brother Foundation’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Catholic Relief Services’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Church World Service’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Direct Relief International’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Giving Children Hope’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Habitat for Humanity International’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- International Medical Corps’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- International Rescue Committee’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Mercy Corps’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Operation Blessing’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Relief International’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- Save the Children’s Response to Japan Tsunami
- World Vision, United States’s Response to Japan Tsunami
I will continue to add to this list as the week progresses, so please comment to let us know of any other organizations who are helping with the relief effort.
DoSomething.org is suggesting an activity that might be helpful for younger kids.
The task is simple:
- Find and upload a photo of an origami paper crane
OR
- Make your own and take a quick pic of it
THEN
- Upload that photo along with a message of support to the Facebook page “Paper Cranes for Japan.”
Why cranes? Cranes are sacred creatures in Japanese culture. According to ancient legend, anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish—like long life or recovery from illness—by a crane.
We’re looking to collect 100,000 photos of origami cranes from young people to represent 100 wishes for relief and healing to all who affected by this tragic natural disaster.
In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering and those who are stepping up to help those in need.
If you would like to check out the charity to make sure they are using the money properly be sure to check out Charity Navigator.
Suzanne Santillan
Writing on the Sidewalk
