Japan Relief Efforts

Picture from Yahoo Japan Relief Effort Page

Sometimes in the crafting world I feel like I live in a bubble and don't know what is going on outside.  The recent disasters in Japan are heartbreaking.  Sassy shared this video with me that shows just some of what was destroyed in a matter of minutes.  In the beginning it doesn't seem like much damage will happen, but by the end of 7 minutes, cars, boats and houses are flipped and dragged blocks and I am sure even miles away from where they should have stayed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TkBjLbabfU

I recently read a few articles about relief efforts.  One was about "fake" efforts that are on the web.  They are websites that look like the real thing but are just a hoax, and your money never actually aids in the relief at all.  Some of them even use similar names to the American Redcross, Salvation Army, Save the Children etc.  It is so sad to me how greedy people are that they would take advantage of people in such distress, and in reality steal from them.  So please be careful where you donate.

Luckily, YAHOO has made it easy with a link right up at the top of their site.  You can click here for a list of aid reliefs that will reach Japan and make a difference.  I couldn't donate much, but a little goes a long way.  Just imagine if every crafter donated just $5.00 or $10.00.  There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of us in the crafting world.

Cheers to rebuilding Japan,