How You Can Help the Survivors in Japan
12:55 PM March 24, 2011
Even before I returned to Los Angeles from Japan, I began receiving emails from friends telling me about various efforts to help the people affected by the earthquake, tsunami and radiation. It has been a life-affirming experience to know that so many people--many of whom have no personal connection to Japan--are taking time out of their lives and/or are donating money to help people half way around the globe.
I know firsthand that the need in Japan is great and every bit of assistance will be appreciated. While Japan is a relatively affluent society and has the third largest economy in the world, no one could be prepared for what Japan and the Japanese have experienced. What I saw in Sendai and Natori was unlike anything I've ever seen. Entire communities aren't just heavily damaged--they're gone.
What can you do to help?
I'm a member of the US-Japan Council (USJC), a people to people diplomacy organization that advances the US-Japan relationship, so I've made a donation to the fund the USJC has organized. As of today, the US-Japan Council has raised $1,463,441. All of it (100%) will go to Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help the Japanese people to recover. If you're interested in the USJC's fund, go to usjapancouncil.org/fund.
But there are many organizations and people doing their part to help.
A viewer got in touch to tell me about a non-profit in Orange County called Team Kids that has mobilized children to raise money for Japan by setting up lemonade stands. They've registered 75 stands and they're calling it the Team Kids LemonAID Japan project. Their website is teamkids.org. You can also make a donation at their Team Kids LemonAID Store at The Orange County Great Park Farmer's Market in Irvine on Sunday, March 27 between 10 am and 2 pm. Monies raised will go to the American Red Cross' Japan Earthquake/Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.
On Friday, March 25th from noon to 7pm, the Bandai Foundation is holding a drive thru drop off event with the proceeds going to the same Red Cross fund. Bandai is a Japanese toy manufacturer known for its Power Ranger, Ben 10 and Tamagotchi toys. Folks who stop by their offices at 5551 Katella Avenue in Cypress on Friday will be treated to character appearances from the Power Rangers and others.
The Cherry Blossom Festival Southern California (CBFSC) is also teaming up with the Red Cross to raise money for earthquake relief. On April 2nd and 3rd, visitors to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo who donate at least a dollar can make or select an origami paper crane, sign it and place it on an "Origami Tree" as a symbol of hope. The Cherry Blossom Festival is still looking for folks who can help offset the costs involved in this effort. If you're interested, the website is cherryblossomfestivalsocal.org.
Those are just a few of the ways you can help. If you know of others, feel free to post your organization's information on the blog to get the word out.
Posted by Frank Buckley | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
Hi mr Buckley. My name is Sydney Miyatake. I am a fourth generation Japanese American. I wanted to share how I helped Japan last year. I designed a t-shirt and indeed up donating more than $2000. Wanted to do it again for the one year anniversary but was unable to fund the project again.
Posted by: Sydney miyatake | March 10, 2012 at 05:23 PM
please do something about mary beth and the goon next to her they suck and are very annoying... marys voice is making me sick and the goon is a kiss ass fagot.
Posted by: jeff | May 15, 2011 at 08:26 AM
dear frank my thoughts and prayers go to you and your family.though i am a morom by faith i truely believe you will see him again. on another side i would like your help on getting astory published regarding a false arrest by wal-mart employees will you please have a reporter e-mail me at t.mcleland@yahoo.com.
Posted by: tammie | May 11, 2011 at 10:42 AM
“Everyone is Japanese” Melting Pot Moms Benefit for Japan
A family fundraising event to benefit the the Nanka Miyagi Kenjin Kai
(Miyagi Prefecture Association of Southern California). All donations will be sent directly to Miyagi Prefectural Government in Japan.
Sunday May 1, 2011
6 - 9 pm
Flintridge Clubhouse
28112 Roanoke Drive
Ladera Ranch, CA
Featured Entertainment:
Nihon Buyou - Traditional Japanese dance performance. http://www.wakahisakai.com/index_e.html
Origami Crane craft for the kids to benefit the Students Rebuild reconstruction effort. http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/
An opportunity raffle
Hors d’oeuvres and beverages
Suggested $10 donation per person, children 10 & under free.
About Melting Pot Moms:
Melting Pot MomsTM is a nonprofit organization bringing together families of different ethnicities and cultures, in an effort to create a diverse and nurturing environment for our children, while promoting multiculturalism in our communities.
Posted by: Melting Pot Moms | April 23, 2011 at 10:53 PM
“Everyone is Japanese” Melting Pot Moms Benefit for Japan
A family fundraising event to benefit the the Nanka Miyagi Kenjin Kai
(Miyagi Prefecture Association of Southern California). All donations will be sent directly to Miyagi Prefectural Government in Japan.
Sunday May 1, 2011
6 - 9 pm
Flintridge Clubhouse
28112 Roanoke Drive
Ladera Ranch, CA
Featured Entertainment:
Nihon Buyou - Traditional Japanese dance performance. http://www.wakahisakai.com/index_e.html
Origami Crane craft for the kids to benefit the Students Rebuild reconstruction effort. http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/
An opportunity raffle
Hors d’oeuvres and beverages
Suggested $10 donation per person, children 10 & under free.
About Melting Pot Moms:
Melting Pot MomsTM is a nonprofit organization bringing together families of different ethnicities and cultures, in an effort to create a diverse and nurturing environment for our children, while promoting multiculturalism in our communities.
Posted by: Melting Pot Moms | April 23, 2011 at 10:47 PM
i'm case manager and i just the most upsetting phone one our community activist told me that 25 families will be homeless by the 2oth of april
these are women and children that will be put out on the streets after they have given there money for the month please contact Ms trace Ross she will like to speak to someone from the station so we can report this maddness (323) 809-5421 can someone help these families before there children are taken from them
Posted by: christine askew | April 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Frank:
I thought I read that the Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled for this weekend in Little Tokyo was postponed until sometime in September.
Posted by: Helen | March 30, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Team Kids is proud to salute the children of Orange County who have raised over $25,000 for the Red Cross Japan Relief through LemonAID! Stands are being planned in Virginia, and have even taken place in Hawaii and Maryland. Please visit our website and register a stand. 100% to Red Cross Japan Relief! www.teamkids.org
Posted by: Julie Hudash | March 30, 2011 at 03:50 PM
I just wanted to "report" back and let you know that we raised over $47,000 at our event at Bandai that will be matched. Thanks for your support and KTLA's coverage! Together we will be able to send a lot of assistance to the victims in Japan.
Posted by: cynthia | March 30, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Frank, thank you for all your coverage of the earthquake in Japan and how we can all help. My brother was there to call a square dance and we had about 36 hours of fear waiting to hear from him. The Japanese consulate was AWESOME and we were able to finally locate and get him home. Thank you for your reporting, information, and caring!
Posted by: Patty Seastrom | March 27, 2011 at 02:11 PM
THANK YOU for posting about our event!!
Posted by: cynthia | March 24, 2011 at 07:00 PM