How you can help Japan

I'm sure all of you have heard about the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan.  Devastation is an understatement. 

Over 5 million people are without power.

Over 700 confirmed dead, and the total death toll is expected to pass 20,000.

250,000 people are in emergency shelters.

There is a threat of nuclear meltdown.

The emergency food and water supply is running low.

People are missing.

Families have been torn apart.

There have been no reports of looting.  No violence.  No Panic.  

So many people have lost everything, yet all I see in pictures are people helping people.  Patience.  Kindness.  Love.  Loss... so much loss, but togetherness, and unity.  

I want so badly to reach out and help them, but I am limited in what I can do, but I have found many little ways to help, and I feel compelled to pass them on, as in situations like these every single bit helps.  

I know times are hard financially for everyone, but every little bit helps.  You can donate to the the relief efforts through RedCross.

Or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.

If you don't have any extra cash to help, you can help with your time.

Here, you can view advertisements to raise money.

If you play those farming games on Facebook, you can buy virtual goods.  100% of the proceeds from the purchase of sweet potatoes in CityVille, radishes in FarmVille or kobe cows inFrontierVille will go towards Save the Children’s efforts to provide relief in the Pacific. 

Click a like on Facebook.  The people over at Explore.org are donating $1 for every “Like” of the “Dog Bless You” Facebook page, up to $100,000.

If you are an iTunes user, you can also donate through them.  You can find the link on your iTunes home page.

And as always, send all the prayers and good will you can to Japan.  They need it now more than ever.