Lending a hand across the world

Nothing is greater then going through the mail here at the Chapter and opening up envelopes from the community with all types of donations for those affected by disasters.  The other day, we received an envelope full of hand drawn pictures and notes from a third grade class at the Kadimah School.  Their teacher wrote us a letter describing her students desire to help and cheer up the children in Japan, and their pictures and letters were the best way that they knew how to help.

Unfortunately, in these types of disasters, it is difficult for us to transport clothing, food, pictures, and other tangible items.  Although we would like to give the people of Japan our personalized gifts and items, the best way that we can help them recover from this major disaster is through monetary donations.

What these pictures have been able to do is inspire us here at the Chapter to continue to do our good work, and we hope that they do the same for you.  As of today, March 28 at 2:10pm, we have raised a total of $33,936 for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief effort from donors in our community, and we hope that you will continue to help us raise funds to help Japan make a full recovery. 

If you would like to make a donation to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund, you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit us online.  If you would like to speak to someone here at the Chapter about making a donation, please call us at 716-886-7500.

Our relief efforts around the world.

Today the National American Red Cross announced that it will be contributing an initial $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society.  This money is to assist their ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated their country on March 11.

“We are grateful for the American public’s generosity and compassion following what has been declared one of the most devastating earthquakes in history… The American Red Cross is in a unique position to help channel that support to our partner in Japan that is playing a critical humanitarian role and comforting the survivors.”-- David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross.

If you would like to make a donation to the relief efforts, you can:

·         Visit the Red Cross online

·         Call 1-800-REDCROSS

·         Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation

Want to learn more about The Japanese Red Cross and what their relief effort looks like?

·         The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with two million volunteers nationwide.

·         Many local volunteers took immediate action following the disaster by distributing relief items, offering hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation.

·         As concerns mount about damage to nuclear power plants in the north, the Japanese Red Cross is also focused on supporting the 200,000 people who have been evacuated from the exclusion zone.

·         Many of the Japanese Red Cross branch offices have trained nuclear decontamination teams and equipment, including special tents for decontamination which can be used to support a government response.

·         A specialist medical team at the Nagasaki Red Cross hospital is on standby, ready to receive patients if people become ill as a result of radiation poisoning.

o   Other hospitals in the area are monitoring radiation levels to protect the patients they are currently treating.

·         At public shelters and throughout the country, local volunteers are handing out relief items, including more than 65,000 blankets which are of great comfort to the displaced.

·         More than 100 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses have been providing assistance in the most affected areas through mobile medical clinics.

·         Trained nurses with the Japanese Red Cross are also offering psychosocial support to traumatized survivors.

With the help of your donations, the Japanese Red Cross will be better able to meet the needs of their people.  If you would like to talk to someone more about making a donation, please contact us at 716.878.2374 and to make a donation, visit us online, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation. 

When tragedy strikes

As we learn more and more about the disaster in Japan and how much devastation their country and its people are going through, our hearts go out to them. They are lucky to have an amazing Red Cross that dispatched 62 response teams in the first 24 hours after the 8.9 earthquakes and resulting tsunami. They are working tirelessly to help meet the emergency needs of the Japanese people. 

In addition to this disaster overseas, there is also the potential for danger to head towards the west coast of the United States.  There are Red Cross chapters are standing at the ready to provide assistance as needed in their communities in coordination with local and federal response partners.

What does this mean?

·         The Red Cross warehouses in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), California, Washington and Hawaii are putting together resources.

·         Over 100 mobile feeding vehicles on standby. 

·         Evacuation shelters are open with additional locations on standby in Oregon, Washington and California.

·         Blood collection agencies are on standby to support any blood needs.

If you would like to make a donation to the Japan and Pacific Tsunami to support their relief efforts, you can visit us online or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00. 

Are you looking for someone? 

The best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has offered to assist Japan with restoring family links. You can also search the American Red Cross’ Safe and Well list.