I'm wide awake in the middle of the night (insomnia) reading up on Japan, and it's horrifying. The official death toll has exceeded 10,000, and who knows how much higher it will go. Meanwhile, Tokyo is saying that levels of radioactive iodine in the tap water are more than twice the safe level for infants, and that bottled water is in short supply. Radiation levels above safety norms have also been found in milk and vegetables in the area around Fukushima, where the nuclear plant is located.
Before we left for vacation, I checked out charities involved in Japan relief efforts on Charity Navigator (the site has good tips about making donations and avoiding scams, as does this MSN Money article). I gave to Save The Children, which has established a Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. I just wish I could do more; I'm worried about the babies and children. I'm going to look into whether there might be a way to organize bottled water donations, and see where I can send children's clothing.
Where have you given to? Is there a place in your area organizing relief efforts? I'd love more ideas.
Photo/Recorded Pictures
As an occasional Red Cross volunteer and disaster preparedness responder, I can tell you that the Red Cross is taking donations--you can even do it by cell phone if you'd like. Text REDCROSS to 90999 and you've donated ten bucks in the blink of an eye.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=bfc13a56d35ae210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
My friend is having an art auction... anyone can contribute:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Helping-Hands-for-Japan/133603216713062
I know u are still in Florida soaking up the sun so thought i tell u that today is CP awareness day
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