20 Ways To Help Japan & A Message to My Guy

 I want to start off by saying Happy Anniversary to my boyfriend John! It's been 3 years today that I've been lucky enough to call you my love and, although you've already made me the happiest girl, I know it's just the beginning. Thank you for being there for me through the good times and the bad. I adore you.

Secondly (and I know this doesn't really "fit" with my anniversary message), but I've been meaning to write about Japan. My heart breaks when I see the videos of the  earthquake, tsunami and threats of nuclear devastation that plague this country. I wish there was so much more I could do, but this kind of tragedy tends to leave us all feeling helpless. Although there are so many more, I've collected 20 different ways to help out...

For starters, my friend Jodi has developed an awesome initiative with 2 other photographers called "To Japan, With Love" . They are selling their prints of images from Japan and plan to donate all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders. Below you'll find 3 prints that are on sale right now...

Here are a number of organizations in the process of or planning to provide relief:

American Red Cross


The American Red Cross is working with the Japanese Red Cross to assess their needs. To contribute, go to redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. A $10 donation can also be made by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders is running mobile clinics and conducting needs assessments. They are drawing on unrestricted donations, and are not accepting donations specifically earmarked for recovery efforts in Japan. Donations can be made at doctorswithoutborders.org or by phone 1-888-392-0392.

Japan Society

The Japan Society has created a disaster relief fund to aid victims. To donate go to japansociety.org.

Japanese Medical Society of America

The Japanese Medical Society of America aims to fund the acute and future medical needs arising from the current situation in Japan. This will include not only the physical aspects but also the mental health issues. You can donate on their Web site at jmsa.org.

MercyCorp and Peace Winds Japan

MercyCorp, through its longstanding partner Peace Winds Japan, is working to help survivors of the earthquake and tsunami.

The Salvation Army


The Salvation Army has three emergency service relief teams working in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One of the teams is assisting people who have been evacuated from areas threatened by the damage of nuclear power plants. Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation. (Make sure to respond “YES” to the Thank You message you receive.) Go to salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

SAVE THE CHILDREN


Save the Children has a team in Sendai, one of the worst-affected areas, establishing an operations base to help the most vulnerable children and their families. To make a donation, visit savethechildren.org, call 1-800-728-3843, or text “JAPAN” to 20222 to donate $10.

SHELTERBOX.ORG


Shelterbox.org is a disaster-relief organization that focuses on providing survival materials such as tents and cooking equipment to families displaced by disasters. Please visit their website to make an online donation.

Although some of these were mentioned above, here is a list of organizations that are conveniently collecting donations by text:

American Red Cross: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10

International Medical Corps: Text MED to 80888 to donate $10

Save the Children: Text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222 to donate $10

Mercy Corps: Text MERCY to 25283 to donate $10

Salvation Army: Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to donate $10

ADRA Relief: Text SUPPORT to 85944 to donate $10

World Vision: Text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222 to donate $10

I also wanted to spread the word about concerts happening around NYC to benefit Japan...

Concert to Benefit Japan Earthquake Relief 

Abrons Arts Center Henry Street Settlement

Description: "More than a dozen innovative artists at the intersection of indie rock, contemporary jazz, and avant-garde performance will come together at Abrons to present a benefit concert to support recovery efforts in Japan...the lineup includes feature performances by Grammy award winning Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, and the influential Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth). An early and late show will feature two different sets by Ikue Mori and John Zorn, Vinicius Cantuaria, Masada String Trio, Buke and Gass, and many more)"

Concert For Japan

The Japan Society of New York 

Description: "Japan Society presents a 12-hour concert benefiting organizations that directly help people affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan. With dozens of music acts and performances throughout the day, confirmed performers for the gala blocks, organized by John Zorn, include Philip Glass & Hal Willner; Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Zorn; Ryuichi Sakamoto; and Bill Laswell and gigi band."

If you wish to read more about what artists like Lady Gaga, U2, Bon Jovi, Nicki Manaj, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber are doing to help the relief effort in Japan, check out this article.

Finally, did you really expect to visit my blog without hearing about the animals? There are millions of animals in Japan traumatized by this disaster and in need of aid. Here are 5 ways to help out our furry friends:

1. Donate to the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Group.

The Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support is a collaboration of 3 No-Kill animal welfare organizations in Japan; HEART-Tokushima, Animal Friends Niigata and Japan Cat Network.

2. The Animal Refuge Kansai has also set up a fund for their shelters. They're currently preparing for an influx of animals from disaster areas.

3. World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. They are getting supplies and a first responder team ready to deploy to Japan.

4. The Animal Refuge Kansai is an organization in Kansai, Japan, that is preparing for a huge influx of animals from the disaster areas.

• 5.) The Animal Miracle Foundation & Network is collecting cell phones to send to volunteers helping animals in Japan. Many volunteers don't have phones and need them to effectively communicate with each other. Please make sure the phone works and don't forget to include batteries and any accessories that may come with it. Please send to: Animal Miracle Network 4804 NW Bethany Blvd. Suite 12-197 Portland, OR 97229.

• 6. Join the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Facebook group for up-to-date information on how to help.

  

  
  

  Oh, and if you need further proof about why animals are amazing...make sure you view this news story about the loyalty of a dog. It's a tearjerker.

Love,

Maya