Current total collected by the Council of Lionhearts, Japanese Student Association, and other orgs on campus for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief: $11,053.63
We will continue to collect money for the Earthquake and Tsunami Relief next week. We will have a table in the HUB on the ground floor by the ground floor entrance (between Panda Express Sushi and the fish tanks) from 10AM-4PM Mon (3/21) to Friday (3/25). Please stop by to donate, or sign up on the volunteer website, volunteer.psu.edu, to help staff the tables.
Arigato (thank you) to everyone who already donated this week! As someone who was born in Japan and has many friends and family there, I was awed this week by the generosity of Penn State. As of Friday 6,911 people have been confirmed dead in Japan and at least 10,316 people were still missing. 450,000 people are currently living in shelters, mostly elementary schools. The Japanese Red Cross has provided 65,000 blankets, hot meals to the 450,000 people in shelters, dispatched more than 100 medical teams (700+ people), and is clearing debris and providing medical transportation. They are grateful for all of the contributions so far, and I’m sure in days that come they will need more financial support to rebuild their communities.
I would also like to thank everyone who helped staff the tables this week, especially the members of the Japanese Student Association who have been phenomenal and a vital part of our collection efforts. Day after day I saw the same faces giving up hours at a time to help the people of Japan. Your enthusiasm and unselfishness is inspiring.
If you are looking for ways to help Japan here are some options:
* 1. As stated earlier, we will continue to collect money in the HUB by Panda Express Sushi from 10AM-4PM Mon (3/21) to Friday (3/25).
* 2. You can also donate by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10, or donate directly through the Red Cross website, redcross.org.
* 3. Send a message of encouragement/support to the people of Japan! Write a message on a white board or paper and take a picture with it, then upload it onto this facebook group (look up “Act: 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief” on facebook). We have people from all across the country showing that we are here for Japan!