Hi there!
I know that Chasers are a special breed. My own experience with so many of you in the last couple of weeks proves that Chasers are, by nature, kind and generous people. Lots of us have been going crazy with AC fever the last few days and that's really a good thing. But other stuff has been going on in the world, of course, especially in Japan. Every time I go to my computer I see the pictures and they are unbelievable. As Chasers, let's decide to help somehow. the Red Cross has an "$10 instant donation" plan if you text a certain number (check their website). There are other ways to donate as well. Even a buck in an envelope to one of the agencies involved would help. Thanks!
@EileenR I've always thought that in the east coast they dont have much problems about hurricane. But its sounds terible. The farmers must have worriied about that, I gesss. Besides, nowadays, many people have a lot of issues about Wall Streat, I watched that. I cant feel its someone eles's bussines.
@S. Brandon Oh, dear... I've heard about the hurricane, but I didnt know the other issues... I always think that it must be nicee to have white christmas in US, but those sounds like very terible as Japan, I thiink. I hoope everyone had damaged in US be better soon.
I live in Maryland. The quake that hit the east coast was unusual for us, but didn't cause any real damage. The combination of Hurricane Irene + Tropical Storm Lee caused a lot of flooding & power outages. Wed have had a REALLY rainy fall, which has caused widespread flooding & crop problems.
We have had some bad flooding in a couple of places in Indiana, but not right where I live. Most of it was in southern Indiana, and I am in the central part. I don't know how familiar you are with the U.S., but Texas, New Mexico, and other areas in the southwest have had terrible wildfires. The west coast has had some earthquakes, but not nearly as bad as they could be. Part of the east coast got an earthquake and then just about the whole coast got the hurricane, and that was after massive amounts of snow last winter. Areas along the Mississippi River, almost down the middle of the country, have had devastating flooding, plus tornadoes hit a few cities *very* badly in different states this year.
There has been an awful lot of destruction, but at least over here, it is somewhat spread out. In Japan, even if you aren't right where the earthquake and tsunami hit, you must feel the effects.
Thank you, all. Itll be better because many kind people, like you, supported so much. I've heard in near NY, a quake happened and hurricane came. Did you have any trouble in Indiana? Or other areas?
I have no connection at all to Japan, and I watched in horror, too. I think much of our country did. The natural disasters of the last year or two around the world have been beyond belief, but that series of hits that Japan took...simply unbelievable. I hope the families who had to leave their whole town behind will be able to start a life somewhere else.
I have taught 6th grade social studies off and on during my career, and one of the units of study is East Asia. I would love to visit Japan some day. My heart was breaking for you when the disasters struck in March. I'm praying that things settle down soon!
Thank you so much, S and Eileen. Im ok, thank you. I live with my famiry near Tokyo. In Tokyo and West part of Japan has not much problems like in Fukusima. But In Kumamoto(South part of mainiland), a quake happened yesterday, but no one seemed to be injured. On thesedays a big problem is Nuclear. In Fukusima, in order to avoid to expose some clidren has lunch bag instead of food service at school. And missunderstanding make the communication difficult in each prefectures... For example, a class refused students from Fukusima to move... But its difficult to beleive the government for many people, so its very complex... But thank yoou, again.
winnie, you are so very welcome. I will ask along with Eileen, how are things going over there? We don't hear nearly as much on the news as we did for a while. Are you okay? Are you living in your home, or did you have to move?
Winnie- you are so welcome! How are things going in Japan?
Hi, Casers.
I found this page recently.
I live in near Tokyo but al people in Japan would want to say "Thank you." to all suppoters and apreciate it so much.
I just saw that Ryan tweeted that if you download "Wondows Down" from iTunes that all proceeds will go to help Japan @DirectRelief!
We, too, like DWB, but here is the relevant part of the e-mail I got from them yesterday:
We want to start off this update by thanking so many of our supporters for their inquiries about our work in Japan. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has sent medical teams to support the government-led earthquake and tsunami response. Our teams are running mobile clinics and conducting needs assessments, which will determine the full scope of MSF's response. We are not currently accepting donations earmarked for Japan. But please remember, your generous support of MSF through unrestricted donations meant that we could respond to the disaster immediately, and we are very grateful. We will continue to post updates as new information becomes available.
***
I don't know at what point they will be taking earmarked donations, but if I hear, I can let you all know, and of course you can send it for their general fund.
From my friend Steve who lives in Japan: Alibaba is arranging to ship relief supplies to Japan. Specifically we have asked for sleeping bags. http://bit.ly/eLZQat #prayforjapan
The sleeping bags are less than $8! Please assist if you can. Thank you.
@klancy96 - Doctors without borders is an awesome group!!
Please don't forget Doctors without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.com - This group goes to places that even the Red Cross hasn't navigated into yet.
A friend of mine lives in Japan, and when I asked him how I could help, he just asked that I try and get the word out about Doctors without Borders. The work they do is crucial. He also endorses the Red Cross.
Thanks for reading! :)
Thanks for the helpful info, friends! :-)
@Dottie.I just checked back on my tweets and the company is infact Bing.
@Dottie: I saw "our guys" tweets about Bing donating $1 to Japan for every re-tweet up to $100,000 (I think it was). I know what you mean, but I just took it as an example to motivate people to get involved rather than just be aware of the news! I'm still trying to figure what hat I'm gonna pull the money out of to get to AC (I have a Really sick friend who really wants to go) but I'll still give something, as I can, 'cause collectively I know it makes a difference. Besides it is true that when you give it comes back to you "pressed down, shaken together, and running over"...!
@S. Brandon you're so right. Kinda makes you ashamed to be a part of the same human race as those kind of people. Especially in contrast to SNC and the Chasers here, on this discussion and site!
Natalie, did you find out what company was doing that retweet? Is it different from the one the guys have been retweeting? I have been on the fence about this. Re-tweeting almost seems like "slack-tivism", but it's perfect for those who don't have anything to spare right now. I have personally challenged myself to give out of my own pocket, but I have not yet done so. It certainly wouldn't hurt to do both.
Good, Natalie. I wasn't entirely clear if you were sending money or just RT (I'm easily confused). And it's too bad, but scam artists come out of the woodwork (or pond scum, more likely) whenever things like this happen.
@ S.Brandon.You are quite right to point out the fact that there are alot of scams out there,lots of people out to gain from peoples misery,always been the way of the world unfortunatley.The one I suggested people to do or similar doesn't involve us personaly donating any money, only retweeting and a company donates so we are in no way involved with giving any personal donations and being apart of a scam.Alot of big organisations do come together and donate from the goodness of there hearts in these situations so I believe the one comment I retweeted is coming from a reputable verified celebrity account who I am sure wouldn't want to be associated to any wrong doing.She tweeted it and asked fans to retweet,It just seems to be a way to help.I wouldn't want to urge anyone to donate any money personaly without being 100% sure and verifying the recipient.I am always wary with charities etc....like you said hard to imagine but the unthinkable goes on!!!!!
Natalie, you do need to be aware that a LOT of fundraising hoaxes crop up at times like these, hard as that is to imagine. Many news sites are highly recommending that you donate directly through well-known charities' sites rather than through solicited methods of any kind. If you aren't sure who to go with, check http://www.charitynavigator.org/ , a reputable place that rates the integrity of various non-profit agencies.
@ GML...agreed. When i saw those first pics of daylight (Saturday for them, Fri night for us), i felt sick and like crying. Entire houses just gone from their foundations. People were no where to be seen....i think i read somewhere that a coastal village of over 9000 people were missing. Just too much to comprehend.
Thanks for the reminder of donating....it is more than a worthy cause.
If any of you are on Twitter there seems to be alot of things going on there to help raise money.They mainly involve just retweeting a comment,I did one yesterday that Khloe Kardashian had posted,I can't quite remember which organisation had started the thing going but for every retweet they would donate a $1.This seems a great and easy way to help raise more money quickly aside from making any personal donations that you may wish to do.
For those of us who don't text : other than the websites we can also call --1 (800) RED-CROSS
or 1 (800) SAL-ARMY
I heard this morning that they raised it to a 9.00 earthquake and that the death toll could reach 10,000 people. Unbelievable, isn't it? I'm concerned about those nuclear reactors. (never understood benefits outweighing risks with those).
It makes our problems seem almost insignificant , doesn't it?
I don't text [ waits for gasps to subside ] but I, too, am looking into who I want to donate through. We've been on particularly tight budget the last couple of years, but when it comes to a disaster of these proportions, I know I can find a little something. We won't know for a long time how many people lost *everything*, but right now they need food and shelter and clean water. Sadly, donations won't bring back lost loved ones, but they may keep other victims alive.
You have such a kind heart, Judy, always thinking about others. You are right, we have been a little Atlantic City crazy the last few weeks. We need to open our eyes (and our pocketbooks if we can) and try to help those who need it. You are a special lady. Thanks!
Great idea Judy. Its all so overwhelming for everyone. Hard to take in let alone recover from. (where to begin?) Wish we could set something up on this site, as there always seems to be another huge devastation be it earthquakes or tornadoes or what have you, before the last group of people can even recover. (although I don't know what all would be involved.) I'm with you on this. Gotta spread the love around and not just keep it to ourselves!