I have lots of blogs on my mind these days, stories being worked on, and yet I can't get Japan off of my mind. Of course, how could I? I can't pull up the news or turn on the TV without seeing something about the latest nuclear reactor troubles or about how entire towns have been swept away by last Friday's earthquake and subsequent tsunami. It is heartbreaking. The images that I have seen are unbelievable, it takes minutes to make sense of what is being seen. When you realize that pile of rubble they are showing on the screen is all that is left of an entire village, your heart breaks for these people.
There isn't really anything that words can say to make it all okay, so I won't even try. What I want to do is pass along some information for how you can help. These are hard times for all of us, but imagine being in the middle of a natural disaster that doesn't seem to end because of pending nuclear disasters right behind it. Let's send what help we can.
Here are some great sites to donate to:
American Red Cross - From this link you can choose where your donations go.
UNICEF - From their website: "The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (USF) is raising funds to help children in Japan impacted by the recent earthquake and tsunami. This is an unusual decision, as Japan is a donor to UNICEF, not a recipient of its assistance. However, due to the unprecedented nature of the epic disaster and its impact on children, resources are going to be critical in helping provide for the very unique needs of children. These may include health, development and protection and other needs that may have been compromised or disrupted in the wake of catastrophe."
Mercy Corps - From their website: "Mercy Corps is working to help survivors of Japan's earthquake and tsunami with our longstanding partner, Peace Winds.
Peace Winds helicoptered emergency supplies on Monday -- including tents, blankets, cooking fuel, tarps, rice and bread -- to families evacuated from homes in the tsunami-devastated city of Kesennuma."
There are MANY other ways to help and donate. Local churches, Salvation Army stations, and businesses are setting up donation sites and collections all around the United States.
Unfortunately, I do have to say this, disasters bring out the worst in people too. Be sure you know who you are donating money to. There are people in every disaster who claim to be collecting for charities when they are pocketing the money. I highly recommend if you want to donate cash to do so with one of the major donation centers like the Red Cross or UNICEF.
There isn't really anything that words can say to make it all okay, so I won't even try. What I want to do is pass along some information for how you can help. These are hard times for all of us, but imagine being in the middle of a natural disaster that doesn't seem to end because of pending nuclear disasters right behind it. Let's send what help we can.
Here are some great sites to donate to:
American Red Cross - From this link you can choose where your donations go.
UNICEF - From their website: "The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (USF) is raising funds to help children in Japan impacted by the recent earthquake and tsunami. This is an unusual decision, as Japan is a donor to UNICEF, not a recipient of its assistance. However, due to the unprecedented nature of the epic disaster and its impact on children, resources are going to be critical in helping provide for the very unique needs of children. These may include health, development and protection and other needs that may have been compromised or disrupted in the wake of catastrophe."
Mercy Corps - From their website: "Mercy Corps is working to help survivors of Japan's earthquake and tsunami with our longstanding partner, Peace Winds.
Peace Winds helicoptered emergency supplies on Monday -- including tents, blankets, cooking fuel, tarps, rice and bread -- to families evacuated from homes in the tsunami-devastated city of Kesennuma."
There are MANY other ways to help and donate. Local churches, Salvation Army stations, and businesses are setting up donation sites and collections all around the United States.
Unfortunately, I do have to say this, disasters bring out the worst in people too. Be sure you know who you are donating money to. There are people in every disaster who claim to be collecting for charities when they are pocketing the money. I highly recommend if you want to donate cash to do so with one of the major donation centers like the Red Cross or UNICEF.
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