We all know of the devastation that they are having.
Being in Hawaii, so many of the people here have families in Japan.
Hawaii also receives so many tourists from Japan, and they are so helpful to our economy and such nice visitors.
It is so sad.
Hawaii & the West Coast, had a Tsunami warning etc., which fortunately was not bad.
I received many PM's, asking how we were doing here, in light of the Tsunami.
I posted a "thank you" to everyone, but yes, my post was pulled by MamaPedia before I could even read the responses.
Because it was not a "question."
Anyway, just wondering what people are doing, to help, in light of this devastation?
Just rambling here, but seeing the news on it, is so jarring.
***EDIT:
I just got word, from someone that has relatives there, that there are about 50 Japanese citizens, who volunteered to help directly AT the Nuclear sites. They did this, knowing they WILL die, because of their exposure to the radiation.
It is their cultural ethic. They know, they will die. Probably within 1-6 months from now. But for them, it is their duty, to help.
Their families, know this as well.
No one can discount, that kind of will or selflessness.
Citizens there, are only getting 1 "Onigiri" (rice ball) a day to eat, and very meager water rations.
And the cold, is very bad now.
They are suffering.
It does not matter, that the country has money or resources or an infrastructure. Suffering and deaths, are just that.
I am donating to the Red Cross through my doctor's office. He was profoundly affected and displaced from Katrina, and he is matching all donations for Japan up to $5000.
Funny you should ask, my husband just came in to tell me we just made a big donation to help Japan out. We did it through Red Cross.
I know this may not be popular, but I have not donated and I don't know if I plan to. I pray for them, I pray and pray. I will work with putting together aid packages that my church will undoubtedly organize in the coming week... but my money continues to go to Haiti. Japan is a country with a lot of resources. Haiti continues to suffer and let's not forget that the death toll was in the hundreds of thousands there. Losing any amount of lives is a devastating tragedy--but Japan has the infrastructure to engage in self-help. They are receiving a ton of aid and they will be able to recover economically. Haiti? Not so much. My fear is that Haiti will be lost in the wake of this new devastating tragedy and I want my dollars to say that *I* remember.
I so am!! I get paid soon and a good share will be going to Japan!
Also my church is huge on humanitarian relief, so I know I will be helping out in one of their projects.
I will make my regular donations. For the most part, I agree with one of the posters below, Japan is a country of many economic resources and has the ability to rebuild. However, I don't direct donations to any area, but rather focus on organizations that do a good job of managing their funds and providing support.
The Red Cross is certainly providing an invaluable resource and is always in need of funds. I support regularly and throughout the year several organizations.
Happy that you and your family are okay!
If any of you ladies do swagbucks, they are letting you donate swagbucks for Japan and they will turn it into a cash donation at the end of some period.
Ebay is having a percentage to donate to Japan option if you're selling, and you can give to Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross.
When I visited Japan a few months ago, what struck me was the gracious, polite, restrained nature of the people, and what's really getting me now is that they are being orderly and respectful in the lines receiving aid. :( I've been weepy all day and so sad.
Our country is struggling with a bad economy already. With the impact of Japanese factories shutting down (which in turn will impact supplies and manufacturing in the U.S., which will impact American jobs), I predict the devestation in Japan will make our recession even worse.
I will probably annoy people with this answer, but we have not made any donations toward Japanese relief. A family friend lost her job last September and has been out of work since. We are trying to create work opportunities for her (mainly babysitting, help around the house, etc.) so she can have some money coming in. I wish we could donate millions like celebrities, but right now, all our extra money is directed towards helping her.
In the future, just make your post into a question. Instead of saying "thank you," say "Do you all realize how thankful I am?" Ha! You can beat the mamapedia system! If we can, we will donate.
Wish I could, but right now, we have no extra income. My husband lost his job, and we are barely keeping our own bills paid.
I haven't been able to personally make a donation yet, but the company I work for teamed up with Red Cross to match our reader's donations up to $25,000. They succeeded in less than 72 hours. More than $50,000 total raised.
Jessica, I understand. I did donate to Haiti. I have been thinking about and praying for Japan but have not yet made any commitment. If I do anything it will be through our church. I think the church is also waiting to see what needs there are in Japan, we have a team in Haiti at all times so I now where that money went. In Japan I do not know if I were to send it to the Red Cross, if the money will actually go to Japan rescue or somewhere else. So I wait and see with this one.
The devastation is just too much for me to watch. Our high school actually had CNN throughout the school all day on Friday. My daughter came home pretty freaked out about the whole thing. But the NAvy base my son just left was not damaged very badly. They had no power but they did have cell service, so I think by now they do have power. THe NAvy has been helping out, my son wishes he were back there.
This is a terrible trajedy. THe worst for me is the babies and children they show on TV and I would love to help. If I were allowed I would take one, I would have taken a Haitian child too.
We have friends in HI and they said everything was OK.
Absolutely. Donated through Red Cross.
Samaritan's Purse is a great organization, as is Red Cross.
I sponsor children through Compassion and World Vision. When there is a disaster like this, I make an extra donation to World Vision, or Samaritan's Purse. I prefer them over the Red Cross.
Yes a little, once we know our tax situation (fingers crossed) I'm hoping to do more. Boy, they were as prepared as anyone could be and Mother Nature seemed to want to make a point! I'm trying not to watch mainstream TV but what I have heard about how the people are responding to the Nuclear Power plants brings me to tears. What Honor and sense of responsibility they have! My initial donation was through Mercycorps but the next I think will be Red Cross. Has anyone heard which will have a greater affect? I know both are good orginizations, just wanted to take advantage of other people's ideas.
My older daughter was a love for Japan culture that stared as her love for painting Manga and now she knows about their culture, art, food and even teach the toddler sing in Japanese (the cutest thing) so when she knew what happen she wanted to send help.
My husband and I were very proud but at the same time didn't want that a smart pants takes her money.
I told her we would look a safe place where her money would be really used for help but I forgot about it until I read your post.
So I would check to see where other people have done it.
Compassion and solidarity and some of the things that I think is hard to teach so if my daughter is showing them now I want to make sure to embrasse those feelings.
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