Will you donate to Japan?

[hipchickie]

Did you donate to Katrina Relief?

as the saying goes, what does that have to do with the price of tea in china??? Am I un-American if I say no - that I don't "take care of my own"? As I have said to people IRL, I am a citizen of the world, and the human race is "my own"

There are plenty of places that are in need, and while the latest news story/natural disaster may highlight a particular need, there are plenty of people in the world that need assistance.

For example, approximately 800k people that die of malaria every year. Are their families feeling less grief at losing loved ones than people in Japan? Are they less deserving of life and aid because that is not the hot news story?

 

[mariacj]

I worked for World Relief International and admire this plan.

OP asked about spreading gift out over three months and giving more. Also good. Giving over three years would be even better.

"Compassion Fatigue" is the reality that people see a disaster on tv, are emotionally moved, and write a check. But, after about 10 days, the story loses its punch.

Haiti, Katrina, the tsunami in Thailand are all well off of our radar these days.

Japan needs stuff like water, food, search teams right now. Aid is a huge help with that. They will be in good shape to undertake the rebuilding of the country.

Haiti needed the same types of immediate aid plus they need economic help to rebuild houses and schools. Same for Thailand and other places where the disaster happens in a place where the economic foundation is not strong.

Consider giving over the longer haul to places that catch your heart. That helps relief agencies rebuild people's lives, not just feed them the first week.

I agree with you. While what is happening in Japan is awful, and we are sending prayers and good wishes... what about Haiti? I always wonder what happens after the cameras stop rolling.... do they still get the aid they need?

Donating through a good company or group is important, but New Orleans and the surrounding cities are slowly rebuilding and bringing back in the tourist trade, Japan as mentioned above has an organized system. Evacuation photos show hundreds lined up and evacuating to designated locations in an orderly manner. AIDS in Africa is still a factor that needs to be focused on. Haiti is all but off the radar... what happens when (hoping this is not true) the next travesty hits... will the media always sway one's decision to donate?

I have not done all my research, so I may be misinformed, but the thing is I don't know. Every dollar I have is hard earned and precious. I want to make sure that it is well used. (Important to donate through legit companies... I have seen to many cases of fraud on the internet and lawsuits against them.)

Yes, our families donate what they can. We are all using a very tight budget, but people are dying all over the world. How does one know who needs what the most if the media is only showing one piece of the puzzle?

Donating is important... help is always needed. To those who donate in what ever form, I wanted to say that I appreciate you. To those that like myself, live off every dollar and need to save to donate or can't donate at all, there are always other ways to donate: time to your local schools or organizations to help better your communities. To those that don't have time, it is okay too. We all have different lifestyles and different needs. I don't think there is a need to justify our actions... but to understand each other without getting "heated".

I have not read this entire thread... and this will also be a thread that continues to be a hot topic as we all have different opinions, but always remember that when you read something on the internet... how you say it in your head does not always sound how the person reads/understands it on the other side of the screen.

 

[cristielf]

I'm donating what I can.. A country in need is a country in need.. I don't think the people without homes are any better off because they are in Japan (A "rich" country) than they would be if they they are without a home in a 3rd world country. A disaster is a disaster, it doesn't matter WHERE it is..

I would hope that if that magnitude of disaster hit the United States, other people in the world wouldn't look at my devastated family without a home and with missing family members and look the other way because I live in a "rich" country. It makes me sad that people think like that, have the "Oh well, they are rich" attitude. Take a look at the individual family stories.. They are just as sad as they are in Haiti and from Katrina. The devastation is the same. Yes, you can donate to anyone and I commend you for donating your money, I think it's great. Anyone who donates wisely is great IMO, but a disaster is a disaster.

 

[diswish]

I am helping to pay for extra suitcases filled with food that our (japanese) friend will bring to Tokyo when she returns on Friday. Her family and our other friends in Tokyo are out of food and many stores are empty because of the transportation problems.

 

[wvjules]

The reason I asked about Katrina because her reasoning for not donating to Japan is because they are a rich nation, as are we. I think with that reasoning it was a fair question.

It is no one's business who donates to what but when it is put out there why, or why not, a donation is made I felt free to ask a question about it.

Oh and I don't know how a six word question was belittling anyone.

 

[Ishy]

Corporations usually match... so I usually wait for my company to announce that. $ for $.

Does anyone know of another match fund?

 

[Liberty Belle]

We've made a small donation (I think it was through the Red Cross - DH did it online). I'm not working right now, so our budget is much smaller than usual, but we managed to give a little.

 

[nunzia]

DH and I have not discussed as of yet if we will be making a special donation for Japan. But if we do, we will donate through UMCOR as well.

I can't remember what it all stands for, but UMCOR is a group ran through the United Methodist Church. They are very, very effective and able to really get into the nitty gritty of disaster situations quickly. Often this is because they already have an ongoing presence doing relief work in many areas. When Haiti got hit last year they were already in place so were able to begin immediately.

Yup, I do attend a Methodist church, but if I left I would still make this type of contribution through them.

United Methodist Committee on Relief.
I'm a financial secretary at a Methodist church.
I agree...you don't need to have any fond feelings toward Methodism or even Christianity or religion in general to donte through UMCOR. You just need to know they have an amazing on the ground network and are there for all disasters and stay after all the big names are long gone.

 

[nunzia]

Does UMCOR allow you to designate the area your contribution effects? I always go through the Red Cross because I know they do. Someone tell me more. We are making a donation by the end of the week. The pictures released today are so intense. We just donated again to Haiti. These horrible catastrophies go on and on.

They will have an advance number set up to aid specifically for Japan relief..if you search for UMCOR I'm sure all the info will be right there on the front page.

Someone mentioned Haiti..yes, helped there also through UMCOR, but we also should be aware that certain countries have horribly corrupt governements and many many contributions sent to aid those countries often end up in dictators or corrupt government officials pockets. I have confidence the good people of Japan will use all gifts as they are intended. We all have financial restricitons and I like to know my donations to any cause are truly going to help.

It is UMCOR Advance # 3021317 for those who may be interested. www.umcor.org

 

[Cristy]

I made a small donation to Save The Children. For the future with this disaster, I will wait to see what else is needed there and how our financial condition is here.

 

[SeansMom]

I think I should have titled my post IF not WILL; I certainly didn't mean to stir up such strong opinions (although these puzzle me a bit, as I don't remember seeing such comments when Haiti had their earthquake).

I really just wanted to know how you decide on a figure and where you choose to donate. This is certainly an "unexpected" expense, but one we are making anyway. This country and it's people are in crisis, and I feel better about me if I can help in some small way.

Great post!
Every reputable charity has some kind of financial disclosure statement on its web page.
You can also go to this site for financial info on many charities
http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Thanks for this link. I was looking for it before I went to our church site.

In my mind need is need and I do not want the job of need triage so I give where and when I can.

Kudos to you! And prayers for your friend.

I worked for World Relief International and admire this plan.

OP asked about spreading gift out over three months and giving more. Also good. Giving over three years would be even better.

"Compassion Fatigue" is the reality that people see a disaster on tv, are emotionally moved, and write a check. But, after about 10 days, the story loses its punch.

Haiti, Katrina, the tsunami in Thailand are all well off of our radar these days.

Japan needs stuff like water, food, search teams right now. Aid is a huge help with that. They will be in good shape to undertake the rebuilding of the country.

Haiti needed the same types of immediate aid plus they need economic help to rebuild houses and schools. Same for Thailand and other places where the disaster happens in a place where the economic foundation is not strong.

Consider giving over the longer haul to places that catch your heart. That helps relief agencies rebuild people's lives, not just feed them the first week.

You make a strong argument for giving over time, which I'm looking at now

Just a little information about Japan and their generosity during our time of need.
http://mobile.nola.com/advnola/db_/...204D04?contentguid=SsapPYG0&full=true#display

New Orleanians watching the dramatic images from Japan's tsunami cannot help but feel deep sympathy for the thousands of people affected by the disaster.

AP Photo/Kyodo NewsShores are submerged in Natori city, Miyagi prefecture (state), Japan, after a ferocious tsunami slammed Japan's eastern coasts Friday.

Much of the damage caused by the massive waves is eerily similar to Katrina's aftermath: Homes washed off their foundations. Cars piled on top of houses. Large fishing boats carried inland as if they were children's toys and deposited on highways.

New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, who covered the 1995 Kobe earthquake, writes that the Japanese are a particularly resilient and stoic people.

They are also a generous people. After Katrina, the Japanese government offered material and monetary assistance that surpassed $1 million and that included tents, blankets, power generators and portable water tanks. Japan also provided $200,000 to the American Red Cross to aid hurricane victims. In addition, Takashi Endo, a private businessman in Japan, donated $1 million from his personal funds to Katrina relief efforts.

Most metro New Orleans residents appreciate the help we received from the Japanese then. Now they need our help. Here's what you can do:

To give to the American Red Cross Japan relief fund, text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your mobile phone. You can also donate online.

Catholic Relief Services has also launched a relief effort in Japan, and you can donate here.

The Salvation Army is already responding on the ground and is you can text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to their relief efforts.

Save The Children, which focuses its disaster aid on kids, is also accepting donations.


Of course I will be donating . : ) Most likely I will donate at church. Our diocese has a long standing close relationship with the Tohoku diocese which was directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami . Our church and diocese worked countless hours in NOLA for about 2 years and are still there, but not there everyday anymore but still do work for habitat there. The Tohoku diocese sent us a huge donation , that really helped the efforts and we will do the same for them.

WOW...great info, I didn't know any of that!

*** gasp*** (spoken in best Southern drawl). WV, now where are your manners, you aren't supposed to ask folks where they spent their money.

This just made me laugh. Not an attack on anyone, but really, my Mom would so totally agree (and she isn't even southern).

I'm donating what I can.. A country in need is a country in need.. I don't think the people without homes are any better off because they are in Japan (A "rich" country) than they would be if they they are without a home in a 3rd world country. A disaster is a disaster, it doesn't matter WHERE it is..

I would hope that if that magnitude of disaster hit the United States, other people in the world wouldn't look at my devastated family without a home and with missing family members and look the other way because I live in a "rich" country. It makes me sad that people think like that, have the "Oh well, they are rich" attitude. Take a look at the individual family stories.. They are just as sad as they are in Haiti and from Katrina. The devastation is the same. Yes, you can donate to anyone and I commend you for donating your money, I think it's great. Anyone who donates wisely is great IMO, but a disaster is a disaster.

I think like you do...if I was hit, I wouldn't want others to judge my situation by that of the nation I live in.

 

[SeansMom]

Corporations usually match... so I usually wait for my company to announce that. $ for $.

Does anyone know of another match fund?

I believe Brookstone is matching donations.

 

[hipchickie]

I would hope that if that magnitude of disaster hit the United States, other people in the world wouldn't look at my devastated family without a home and with missing family members and look the other way because I live in a "rich" country. It makes me sad that people think like that, have the "Oh well, they are rich" attitude. Take a look at the individual family stories.. They are just as sad as they are in Haiti and from Katrina. The devastation is the same. Yes, you can donate to anyone and I commend you for donating your money, I think it's great. Anyone who donates wisely is great IMO, but a disaster is a disaster.

Interesting - a little self centered, but interesting.
How would you feel if you were a woman in the country I do send money -having your child die in your arms from diarrhea, when you are told "sorry, there have not been a lot of donations to buy medicine this month because there was a flood/earthquake/tornado/etc somewhere else" Is her family story not "just as sad" because it is not big news?

Again I ask, what makes this more of a tragedy than anything else - because it is in the news?

As I said before, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from donating to Japan, the only reason I originally posted was because the OP mentioned long term giving, and I wanted to make people further think about making a long term commitment to donating if they are able, because need in the world is ongoing and constant

 

[LilyWDW]

Yes, I have donated to Japan.

I believe my money will be appreciated and well spent by the government and people of Japan. I also believe that Japan will do everything in their power to help themselves and not just depend on the donations of others. I also believe that they won't turn away our relief workers or throw away what people are trying to do.

 

[ilovemk76]

Not yet but we will. We will not take money we would have given to another charity. I just have not had enough time to decide which charity is the best one for out donation.

 

[cristielf]

Interesting - a little self centered, but interesting.
How would you feel if you were a woman in the country I do send money -having your child die in your arms from diarrhea, when you are told "sorry, there have not been a lot of donations to buy medicine this month because there was a flood/earthquake/tornado/etc somewhere else" Is her family story not "just as sad" because it is not big news?

Again I ask, what makes this more of a tragedy than anything else - because it is in the news?

As I said before, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from donating to Japan, the only reason I originally posted was because the OP mentioned long term giving, and I wanted to make people further think about making a long term commitment to donating if they are able, because need in the world is ongoing and constant

How can you say that you aren't trying to dissuade people from donating to Japan when it's clearly what you are trying to do. "sorry, there have not been a lot of donations to buy medicine this month because there was a flood/earthquake/tornado/etc somewhere else" You are saying people are only donating because it's "in the news".. Of course that's why! It just happened, they need help! You make it sound like it's the latest trend, when in all actuality, the need is there NOW. How about people are donating because it's a new situation and one where time is of the essence.. you know MASSIVE earthquake, Tsunami and now nuclear meltdowns? Getting aid there now is imperative because without it, people will die from injuries and illnesses that could have been prevented with a more timely approach. My best friend left for Japan the day of the Earthquake.. He was 600 miles from the epicenter and since then the country has put an issue out telling Americans (and others) they need to leave.. Depending on the wind issues, he may not be able to leave. He's a nuclear engineer and now he's worried about having a job when he gets home because the big company he works for has just cut many contracts with American nuclear power agencies. It's going to get worse before it gets better and it'll start to affect us here at home. If that's self centered, then fine, I'm happy to own up to it.

Personally, I don't care WHO you donate too, but don't condemn others for donating to a cause that's different from your own. You give to who you want and I give to who I want.. That's it.. Everyones happy.

 

[cristielf]

In addition, I love how everyone is giving on this board, no matter if it's a little or a lot, every bit helps! You all are awesome!!

 

[declansdad]

Personally, I don't care WHO you donate too, but don't condemn others for donating to a cause that's different from your own. You give to who you want and I give to who I want.. That's it.. Everyones happy.

I don't htink she did that; she was trying to explain why she wouldn't.

 

[nunzia]

Interesting - a little self centered, but interesting.
How would you feel if you were a woman in the country I do send money -having your child die in your arms from diarrhea, when you are told "sorry, there have not been a lot of donations to buy medicine this month because there was a flood/earthquake/tornado/etc somewhere else" Is her family story not "just as sad" because it is not big news?

Again I ask, what makes this more of a tragedy than anything else - because it is in the news?

As I said before, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from donating to Japan, the only reason I originally posted was because the OP mentioned long term giving, and I wanted to make people further think about making a long term commitment to donating if they are able, because need in the world is ongoing and constant

just an FYI...there is a UMC project underway called Imagine No Malaria..it started off with the co program of Nothing But Nets with the NBA, but has a much larger scope of eradicating malaria from a certain hard hit area by 2013. Not just nets but everything needed. We give to that and our donations to that will not stop because we choose to give extra mile gifts for Japan.

 

[dhardawa]

I will probably wait until they start allowing animal rescue groups in and donate to the ASPCA and/or The Humane Society.