In light of the recent tragedies in Japan and the communities hit by the resulting Tsunami I thought it would be helpful to outline some websites, texting options and apps that can provide means for donating money to charitable organizations that will be helping in the relief efforts.
For those of you who have never done it before, when donating online the funds are billed to your credit card. When texting a donation, the amount of your one-time donation will be added to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. (Remember when texting: Message & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider.)
This is our opportunity to use the tools that we are so lucky to have at our disposal to make a positive impact on the efforts overseas. Here are some organizations that have made their information available since late last week:
Note: I am not endorsing one charity over another, simply compiling a list of organizations that have made their relief effort information public.
Canadian Red Cross – Japan Earthquake / Asia-Pacific Tsunami
Site available in English and French;
Click here for online donations by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or American Express;
Canadian wireless customers with most major carriers can text ASIA to 30333, and donate $5 to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund;
Alternatively, you can call 1-800-418-1111 to donate over the phone;
There is a Canadian Red Cross app available in the Apple App Store that will allow you to donate as well (after account creation).
Souls4souls.org – An American organization that donates shoes in tragedy situations, where recovery efforts are required (Imagine going through rubble in bare feet!)
Site available in English;
Click here for online donations by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or mail-in gently used shoes to add to their inventory.
Salvation Army in Canada – 2011 Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
Site available in English and French;
Click here for online donations by Visa, Mastercard or American Express;
Canadian wireless customers with most major carriers can text QUAKE to 45678, and donate $10 to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund;
Alternatively, you can call 1-800-725-2769 to donate over the phone.
Unicef - ‘General Emergency Relief Fund’.
Site available in English and French;
Click here for online donations by Visa, Mastercard or American Express;
Canadian wireless customers can text GIVE to 45678, and donate $5 to the Unicef ‘General Emergency Relief Fund’
World Vision Canada – Japan Quake & Tsunami
Site available in English and French
Click here for online donations by Visa, Mastercard or American Express
Canadian wireless customers with most major carriers can text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 45678, and donate $10 to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund;
Other Texting Options:
Text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of Save the Children Federation, Inc.
Text “MERCY” to 25383 to donate $10 on behalf of Mercy Corps
The Mobile Giving Foundation of Canada has a list of all Charities in Canada that will accept donations through text messaging. The list can be found by clicking here.
As an aside, I learned today that Canadian water and engineering experts are using Skype to talk to engineers in Japan and help understand and repair what the structural issues are right now. Pretty amazing stuff.
Do you know of any other organizations that are using technology to advance their ability to collect donations during this tragedy?
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