A week ago (March 11, 2011) Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook the Northeastern region of Japan and then spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's coast. The massive tsunami left a huge swath of devastation in its wake along with killing thousands of people. Those that survived have lost everything and now face the nuclear radioactivity fears.
If you haven't done so, then now is the time for us triathletes to help those in need. Let's show them that we care.
Here are a few organizations and ways to offer assistance to those displaced people or to those organizations helping them.
Tri 4 Japan
Triathlete Mike Trees is in the process of setting up a triathlon related organization to help those in Japan via www.tri4japan.com "I want all triathletes around the world to dig deep and help Tri4Japan raise money. Triathlon in Japan has enriched the lives of so many triathletes for over 25 years, now I want all our friends in the triathlon world to help Japan. Our aim is to raise as much money as possible by September. No expenses will be taken, and all people helping are offering their time and services for free. The money will really help but also the psychological boost to the Japanese, knowing that all triathletes around the world are helping will be priceless."
www.tri4japan.com
Salvation Army
Joshua Smith of Hydro74 has designed the 'Army for Japan' T-shirt to support the Salvation Army. 100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go toward The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan. You can pre-order the shirt now for delivery later this month. If you don't need a T-shirt, then just visit the Salvation Army website to make a donation. The T-Shirt is selling for $20.
www.merchline.com or www.salvationarmy.org
Red Cross
Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the local chapters. Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.
www.redcross.com
Justgiving Japan
Professional triathlete Yu Yumoto from Japan is operating an online fund raising site called Justgiving Japan. Sendai and the surrounding areas were hit hard by the devastating earthquake and it is the home of many triathletes and events. The website is developed to provide 100% of funds to an NPO called Civic Force. The information was pretty much only in Japanese, but there is an English manual so that we can also make donation through Justgiving. You can make an online donation to Civic Force here:
www.justgiving.jp/c/3324 (English Manual Link)
Drop us a line if you have something additional to share on how triathltes can help the Japan Earthquake victims.
