tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72984740694875537822024-03-13T13:30:59.663-07:00for the victims of Japanmy name is nicky!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12409044398848460709noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298474069487553782.post-5353558336910124812011-03-15T12:21:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:55:08.514-07:00How can i help the victims of Japan?<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >The first thing on most people's mind after hearing the news of a disaster like the earthquake in Japan is, What can I do to help?</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584390045252075314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cA1xfJDzHc/TX-9KKZ6PzI/AAAAAAAAABY/1Djdqnven-I/s400/Japan_Earthquake_0e749.jpg" /><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Even if you're thousands of miles away, there are ways that you can offer support to the earthquake and tsunami relief effort in Japan. Here are a few of them:</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584390759544379426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slMA3vr96j8/TX-9zvWd2CI/AAAAAAAAABg/BQJql9JfZZo/s400/helden.jpg" /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Red Cross:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > The Japanese Red Cross has already deployed 11 disaster-response teams, but you can support the organization by donating money. Similar to its efforts in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, the Red Cross is accepting donations </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >online</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > or via text message. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone (you'll be prompted to confirm with a second text reading YES).</span><br /></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >ShelterBox:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > The U.K.-based organization, with 18 international affiliates, has launched an online fundraiser for the Japan relief effort. ShelterBox provides assistance to afflicted countries by delivering large utility boxes that contain a shelter and other emergency-relief tools. To give, </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="http://shelterboxusa.org/index.php"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >go to your country's page</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > and click "Donate."</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ></span></b></span> </p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >International Medical Corps:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > To give to this global nonprofit's emergency-response fund, </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="https://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1967" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >go to its site</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >, fill in your information and select the amount you wish to donate (be sure to note if you want your donation to be a "recurring gift" for future relief efforts).</span></p></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >GlobalGiving:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > Working with other organizations like the International Medical Corps, GlobalGiving, a Washington, D.C.-based group, has launched a Japan relief fund that will give aid to on-the-ground organizations providing emergency services. It is accepting donations </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >online</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >, with a funding goal of $90, 000.</span></p></o:p></span><br /><p><b><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" >Convoy of Hope:</span></b><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" > This nonprofit focuses on disaster-relief efforts. Donate </span><span style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><a href="https://donate.convoyofhope.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=419" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >online</span></a></span><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" > or via phone by texting TSUNAMI to 50555 (you'll be prompted to confirm with a follow-up text of YES).</span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Salvation Army:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > The Japan branch of the Salvation Army has been working in Tokyo to offer shelter to stranded commuters, and it reportedly organized a team to help in Sendai. It also has a Hawaii branch standing by, ready to assist. Donate </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/?p=5642"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >online</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > or by texting JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation.</span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > This medical nonprofit expanded its team in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami and has groups working in mobile clinics in areas that are inaccessible by road due to damage. Donate to its Japan relief fund </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-: NLfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><a href="https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=240&__utma=121179421.456119243085648900.1300118440.1300118440.1300118440.1&__utmb=121179421.5.10.1300118440&__utmc=121179421&__utmx=-&__utmz=121179421.1300118440.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)utmccn=(direct)utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=186907816" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >online</span></a></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p> </p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Google's Person Finder:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > The search giant has launched a Japanese version of its Person Finder tool so that victims and families can locate one another in the aftermath of the disaster.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:11;" lang="EN-US" > </p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >Play facebook games:</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" > In a unique initiative, eight online games on Facebook are raising funds for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami-hit island nation. The initiative is a result of partnership between NGO Save the Children and Zynga, a social network game developer. Games like Cityville and Farmville are raising funds by offering special crops to its players. The players can pay through credit cards and the entire proceeds would go to the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children's Emergency Fund.</span></span></span></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:11;" lang="EN-US" ><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></p><br /></o:p></span></span></o:p></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:11;" lang="EN-US" ><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></o:p></span><br /><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:11;" lang="EN-US" ><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.ecfa.org/HomePage.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none; mso-theme: EN-USfont-size:100%;" lang="EN-US" ><span style="color:#000000;">ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial </span><span style="color:#000000;">Accountability)</span></span></a></span></b><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" ><span style="color:#000000;">:</span> </span></b><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" >has created a link on its homepage for givers to connect with member organizations already assisting or poised to assist in massive relief efforts there. Through its "</span><span style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.ecfa.org/Relief/Japan" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR: black; mso-theme: EN-UScolor:#0e001;" lang="EN-US" >ServantMatch</span></a></span><span style="mso-theme: EN-US;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';" lang="EN-US" >," donors can identify accredited organizations working to bring aid to the disaster area.</span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-theme: EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: '; FONT-SIZE: 12pt'" lang="EN-US">Lady gaga (we pray for Japan bracelet): </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: '; FONT-SIZE: 12pt'" lang="EN-US">Lady Gaga designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet. If you </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: '; FONT-SIZE: 12pt'" lang="EN-US">buy It ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. The bracelet -- a rubber band --</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: '; FONT-SIZE: 36pt'" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: '; FONT-SIZE: 12pt'" lang="EN-US">features the phrase "We Pray for Japan" written in both English and Japanese, along with <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/815193/christina-aguilera-denies-feud-with-lady-gaga-1"><span style="COLOR: black">Lady Gaga’s</span></a> famous monster paw. The <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/825913/lady-gaga-dumps-target"><span style="COLOR: black">Lady Gaga</span></a> Japan bracelet -- available for $5 via her official website -- won’t be ready to ship until March 25. You can preorder now to receive yours right after it goes on sale. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: NL" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></o:p></span></o:p></span></span></p></o:p></span></span></o:p></span><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" >As you can see there are many ways to help and give our thoughts to the victims of japan. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: ENfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN" >Before you start donating, though, make sure that you're donating to a legit nonprofit organization. If you're unsure about a charity, you can look it up on a watchdog site such as Charity Watch. Be wary of charities you've never heard of or organizations that contact you directly to get you to donate via text. Stick to the big-name charities, and you should be okay.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: ENfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN" >If you have more ideas please share them with us!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584393650128459874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTL_lp9epbM/TX_Ab_namGI/AAAAAAAAABo/8Cers_zPNIM/s400/621Japan_Earthquake__1.jpg" /></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15pt; MARGIN: 5.25pt 0cm 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: ENfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN" ></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SAfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" lang="EN-US" ><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"></span><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: NL; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>my name is nicky!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12409044398848460709noreply@blogger.com0