14 Mar 2011 4 Comments
Overwhelming Generosity: Japan Disaster Relief on FirstGiving
In the wake of the 8.9 earthquake that hit Northern Japan on Friday, fundraisers and donors on FirstGiving rallied to the cause of Japan Disaster Relief incredibly fast. Within the first 18 hours, 66 fundraisers had created fundraising pages, and raised over $7,000. Today, three days after the earthquake struck, 185 people are raising money for Japan Disaster Relief, 501 people have donated, and this overwhelming generosity has raised $38,494. And it is just the third day! To stay up-to-date on the progress of the fundraiser, visit the Japan Disaster Relief fundraising page on our site. You can also create your own fundraising page from the same page. Throughout this week we will also be posting information about the FirstGiving fundraising effort, as well as other efforts to help Japan, on our FirstGiving Facebook Page and in our Twitter stream.
The band Boyz II Men created their fundraising page for disaster relief on Friday. They state the reason on their fundraising page: “We have been going to Japan for the past 20 years and we are deeply concerned for the people of Japan and especially for our friends and fans who reside in Sendai and all the areas affected by this earthquake and tsunami. We can proudly say that Sendai is a beautiful city and we have performed there many times. In fact, we are planning to perform in Sendai in November of 2011 as part of our 20th Year Anniversary Tour.” They have already raised over $13,000.
When As the World Turns ended, the fans of actor Eric Scheffer Stevens created a fundraising page to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. As of March 2011, all further donations will go towards relief efforts in Japan.
JD Angel pledges that he will shave his head into a mohawk if he can raise $1,000. You can see his fundraising page here.
Edward Viljoen has raised almost $6,000 for his Japan disaster relief fundraiser. His fundraising profile states:”Loving how technology is helping us realize the vision of a world that works for everyone, where there is generous and ongoing sharing of resources and heart and where borders are irrelevant and forgiveness is the norm.”
Kathy Lien quickly put up the Forex Traders for Japan fundraising page to raise money for Shelter Box USA and, in less than three hours, has raised $3,000.
Peter Swimm is a member of the international chip music community. On his fundraising page for the American National Red Cross he states, “Amid all the chaos I thought the only thing I could do to help was to put together a compilation of chip music help raise donations and awareness for the people of Japan in their difficult time. If it wasn’t for the hard working people of Japan there would be none of this great chip tune music in the first place.
I have also asked @TCTD (on Twitter) to help organise it, we want any and all chip tuners involved the more the better. If you can please help spread the word. You can follow me @pixelh8 and @TCTD on twitter for updates.
The compilation should be available shortly in exchange we simply ask you to donate or do something positive for Japan.”
To start your own fundraiser for Japan disaster relief, visit our Japan Disaster Relief start page on FirstGiving.com and select from amongst our pre-selected disaster relief organizations working in Japan.
EnjoyHi5Autism
Mar 14, 2011 @ 17:33:57
We experienced and witnessed first-hand what families endured during the Gulf Coast New Orleans,Louisiana Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Our son was only 5 weeks old and had just learned proper lactation after a month of training and daily weigh-ins. But, when you’re fleeing for your life, you can’t pull over to breastfeed. So Similac had to suffice. NOT OUR BABIES CHOICE, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING FED FROM An eyedrop-like tube his first days.
At the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa(we crownned ‘Our Brothers’ Keeper city’), we saw 1 day old newborns wiyh freightened mothers seeking shelter after traveling through 3 states for hours. CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THE NEWBORNS, SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN ARE ENDURING IN JAPAN. We give in gratitude that Tuscaloosa families, churches, doctors, and disabilites communities adopted and helped us during our time of need. God Bless.
Debra Askanase
Mar 15, 2011 @ 08:48:02
Thank you for your comment! Your empathy and generosity is what makes the FirstGiving community so incredible. Debra
L. Young
Mar 16, 2011 @ 21:50:16
Your blog is inspiring! So too is this song… Written in support of the people in Japan. If you enjoy it and are moved to do so, please share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZGUi85hi3E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Samantha Goldberg
Mar 18, 2011 @ 05:00:38
Its really amazing how people pull together to help others in times of crisis. Well done FirstGiving, your work is really admirable. If you are in South Africa and would like to help my company raise funds for the ‘Save the Children’ fund, please SMS JAPAN to 38083 and donate R10.