How YOU can help!

Over the last few months as I wrote this blog, I got the same questions from readers over and over: How can I help? What can we do? What do they need?  It took a bit of research and organization, but here are some options for those of you with a passion to help the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan.

The simplest way to help with the project is a monetary donation. Rather than doing a mass collection of used tangible items and shipping them to Japan (which is always quite expensive), we are working with WELS Christian Aid and Relief to collect the money to purchase new items. Through Dan's job at Sierra Trading Post (STP), we are organizing a mass donation of purchased goods shipped directly from the company warehouse. They sell many outdoor gear products that would really come in handy for the people in the disaster zone this winter, including fleece jackets, gloves, and hats. The major benefit of doing this through STP, is that they sell all their products at well under the retail value (they are an outlet seller) and have offered us an additional discount on top their already bargain deals, in addition to helping with shipping costs!!! Compared to the costs of these types of products in Japan (and factoring in the current exchange rate), we will be able to get MUCH more for our donated money buying through STP than if we bought similar products in Japan. Dan and I will organize an order (or two or three) and use donations to purchase the goods.

There are two ways to donate to the project:

Check:
WELS Christian Aid and Relief
929 N Mayfair Rd.
Milwaukee WI, 53222-4398
Please note in the memo section of the check that it is for the Japan project

Online:
http://www.wels.net/aom/christian-aid-and-relief 
Note: If donating online, please make sure that Christian Aid and Relief is selected in the drop down menu on the page! And to ensure that your donation is set aside for the Japan project, please also send an email to Mark Vance (the CA&R project manager) letting him know to route the money to the Japan fund. His email is mark.vance@wels.net.

However, if you do decide you would like to do a glove drive/quilt collection/etc., you are more than welcome to send them over to Japan yourself! The information on where to send them, etc. is found on this page: http://www.lwms.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=180020999&sec_id=180007651 The site has the address and what needs to be included on the customs form to make it easiest for the Japanese recipient.


There is still such need in Japan, even 10 months after the disasters (this post outlined the need pretty well). It is going to be an ongoing process, but the people are facing the coldest months of the year right now and many are ill-prepared. If you want to help, this is a great way to do it... even if you can only afford a "little bit" - God is efficient and those little bits add up fast!


If you're feeling even more ambitious than just opening your own wallet, these giving opportunities allow everyone the chance to actively DO something to raise money too. The method of fundraising is up to you, but the more awareness we raise in our communities, the more we can help our Japanese brothers and sisters.

\On what adventures will this project take YOU?