Relief Efforts in Japan: Ways you can Help

Help Japan poster by James White

As the relief efforts in Japan continue to go under way, and the situation seems to worsen, it has become even more important that Japan gets all the help that it can get. Yet there are still people who do not know how they can help, or do not have the necessary funds to give a donation. In this post I've added found different ways that you can give money to Japan, whether it's by watching a YouTube video, buying a bracelet, or sending money directly to charity. 

Fashion

The fashion has also decided to give money for the cause. Fashion designers such as Rebecca Minkoff  is donating $100 dollars for every hand bag she sells. Pamela Usantohas also decided that 100% of the proceeds from her "Lumiere" collection will go to help relief efforts. American pop singer Lady Gaga has created a special wrist band for Japan. The proceeds from this will also go to efforts in Japan.  You can buy the band here.For more fashionable ways to help, check out this post for links to other causes. 

                                                     Music for Money

Many music artists have donated money to Japan. From American artists such as Justin Bieber, Brittany Spears, and Asian artists such as 2NE1, and Korean girl group Kara has decided that the proceeds they receive for their latest single "Jet Coaster Love" will go towards helping the relief efforts in Japan. So if you've been jamming to their new song, why not go and buy their single on iTunes and you can be sure that you're money will go to the relief efforts that are currently underway.

                Send Money
This may be the easiest way to help raise money. All you have to do is send "REDCROSS" to 90999. This will send $10 to the Redcross and the money will be added to your phone bill at the end of the month.

You can also donate through Unicef by clicking the link provided.

Turn Your Views into Cash

YouTube Stars Michelle Phan  and Ryan Higa have used their power to help raise money for Japan. Michelle has created a Cherry Blossom inspired makeup look. She says that she was inspired by the upcoming spring in Japan. She has already raised $1000 for the Redcross through her charity video and has decided to continue raising money by making more videos. She plans to upload another video, with all proceeds going to Japan.

Ryan Higa have also stepped up to the plate by donating over $1000 to Japan and has also promised to give $6oo for every million views that his video receives. You can keep up with how much money he raises by checking out his website.

Many have criticized the way that Ryan and Michelle have decided to raise money. This is what both stars had to say about their choice to create charity videos:

People keep saying "why don't you just donate the money instead of trying to get people to view it?" My biggest strength right now is that I'm fortunate enough to have a following. The purpose of this video was not only to support Japan myself, but to encourage others as well. I could have easily donated the money and not made a video about it, but I think its a lot more important to get support from all over the world. I personally can't donate a million dollars, but if millions of people watch this and decide to chip in, it is possible... I'm just trying to help in the best way that I can.

- Ryan Higa

"Honestly, the more comments I read, the sadder it makes me feel. I never realized how self righteous some people here are. How they feel like they stand on higher grounds to criticize how another donates their time and money to a goo...d cause. During times like this, we should all put our differences aside and focus on the greater good and cause. To help those who need our help. If you are able to read this, that means you have access to a computer which means you are more than capable of helping. Whether it's by spreading the word or donating your time or money. So please, stop complaining how I donate or how someone else donates and instead, start helping." -Michelle Phan

 Click on the links to either or both videos to increase the views and raise money.

 Spread the word

If you're a blogger, use your blog to let your readers know how they can help during this time of need. Don't forget, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and other social networks will all come in handy. Just let others know how they can help and encourage them to something in anyway that they can.

 

Be Aware

Be sure to be careful of who you send your money to. Scammers love disasters like this and try to trick the innocent out of their money all the time, so be sure to donate to credible organizations only, and check your sources. The New York Times has added a few ways to that you can helpout that I have not added here.
Which ever way you choose to donate, remember that ever dollar (or view) counts. Prayer also counts! Thanks guys!

~Chan

Once again, none of the photos contained in this blog post are owned by me. If you know of any other relief efforts underway, be sure to inform me in a comment or email me at teddychantastic@yahoo.com with Relief Efforts in the subject line.