As the earthquake and tsunami tragedies linger in the collective minds of the world, people around the Seattle area are reaching out to help.
On Mercer Island, Eileen Cho is sending socks to help keep people warm in Japan.
Her first shipment included 131 pairs of socks, and she expects to send many more in the next few days.
Learn more at her site: socksforjapan.com.
Studio 904 is also helping the Japanese through selling handcrafted cards. Each card reflects a special message of hope and recovery for Japan. All of the proceeds raised from selling the cards is going to the Seattle Japan Relief Fund.
Learn more by buying a package of cards at Studio 904 for $30, which includes five cards. Call 232-3393 to learn more.
Here are some other ways Mercer Island residents can help.
‘You Can Save Japan’
Together, Bellevue College and the UW Japanese Student Association (JSA) are making paper cranes for Japan. The fundraiser is continuing through March: jsauw.wordpress.com, www.wepay.com/donate/uwhelpjapan.
“We want to come together as students and friends to be the support group for our brothers and sisters on and off campus,” the Bellevue College Facebook event page reads.
Seattle Japan Relief
SJR is a collaboration of Japanese American and Japan-related cultural, educational and civic organizations in Seattle and Bellevue, committed to mobilizing funds quickly in support of immediate relief efforts: seattlejapanrelief.org.
The Humane Society
Help provide aid to animal victims of disaster by texting PROTECT to 85944 to donate $10: americanhumane.org.
The American Red Cross
Disaster relief efforts by the Red Cross are underway in Japan. If donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation: american.redcross.org.
World Vision
A Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision has a staff of 75 in Japan. They are dedicated to easing the emotional and psychological stress of children. Go to www.worldvision.org, call 1-888-562-4453 or text “4Japan” or “4tsunami” to 20222 to donate $10: worldvision.org.
Other Christian-based organizations providing aid include CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope), www.crashjapan.com; and World Concern, www.worldconcern.org.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity’s response will include mobilizing volunteers in Japan to work with other organizations in the initial clean-up and relief operation. Volunteers will also assess damage to buildings and plan for shelter. Call 1-800-HABITAT; habitat.org.
Catholic Relief Services
Serving “the world’s most poor and vulnerable people,” CRS is seeking to partner with others to show generosity and goodwill as they did after the Kobe Earthquake. Call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET: crs.org/japan.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
The foundation is distributing emergency cash cards, blankets, scarves, clothes and cards with words of wisdom from Dharma Master Cheng Yen to disaster survivors in several disaster sites. On March 14, Tzu Chi headquarters sent its first shipment to Japan, including 5,000 blankets, 400 boxes of instant rice and 100 boxes of nuts. Approximately $1.18 million worth of goods will be shipped. Call 1-888-989-8244; us.tzuchi.org.
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
JDC’s immediate response involves working with the Jewish Community of Japan to distribute emergency supplies to the hardest-hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures through JEN, a Japanese NGO. JDC is also working with the Afya Foundation to provide a critically needed water shipment. Call 212-687-6200; jdc.org.
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
One-hundred percent of donations go toward programs in Japan. If U.S. generosity exceed Japan’s needs, the remaining dollars will assist children most in need around the globe. Call 1-800-367-5437; unicefusa.org.
