Shaken. Not Stirred.

[CDNSushi]

March 12, 2011
Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan

Dear Family and Friends,

By now, almost everyone has seen or heard about the massive 8.9 earthquake that hit near Miyagi Prefecture in Japan. In the past 24 hours we’ve received many inquiries as to our status here in Kofu, prayers, and good wishes for our (and others’) wellbeing. For that we sincerely thank all of you. We are touched that so many people have showed care and concern for our safety.

The first purpose of this message is to assure everyone that we are fine. Kofu is located several hours south of the hard-hit coastal city of Sendai, which took the brunt of the hit. We are surrounded by mountains so there is no risk of tsunami damage here.

As for the earthquake itself, I happened have the day off, so I was sitting on top of a mountain, strapping a snowboard to my feet when the quake hit. It was a very unusual feeling to have an entire mountain move beneath me. Bonnie was teaching a class at the time, and the students did as they had been taught during earthquake drills and took shelter underneath their desks. When the shaking stopped, all the schools in the area were evacuated and all students sent home early.

The intensity here in Yamanashi was about a low 5 on the Richter Scale, meaning that we were shaken up, but there was no damage. In the Prefecture, only one elderly person sustained minor injuries, and a few small items got knocked off shelves in places, many stores closed, probably due to power blackouts in some select areas. Overall though, everyone got through it just fine. Even though we are just an hour due West of Tokyo, which got hit a lot harder, I assure everyone that we are all fine here!

Many people at this point are wondering if there is anything that they may do to help the relief efforts that are already underway in many parts of Japan. Here in Yamanashi, we do not need anything in the way of supplies or emergency kits, as public infrastructure (power, water, gas, etc) are all in place. I also strongly discourage anyone from engaging in individual efforts to help, as they will likely be wasting both their time and money because the key to these relief efforts is to coordinate and ensure that money and resources are allocated to where they are needed most.

Again, I thank you all for your kind messages of support and concern. For those who feel that they would like to help in some tangible way, I’ve been in contact with a few people on the ground and who are involved in relief operations and have compiled a short list of tangible ways to lend a hand.

Kind Regards,

Jim Dunlop

[CDNSushi]

If anyone feels the desire to help in a practical way, here are some options to consider. I personally do not support or vouch for any of these organizations except for the last one. CRASH Japan is a relief organization that I've worked with in the past, and there's a fair chance that I may also have a chance to do some on-the-ground relief work with them this time around too.


1. Red Cross
The Japanese Red Cross Society has a well-organized disaster response. If you wish to make a donation, please do so through your local Red Cross society, and they will make sure the donations are earmarked for the Japan earthquake relief effort.

USA: 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.

Canada: Go to http://www.redcross.ca/ and hit the “Donate” button.

2. Save the Children: http://www.savethechildren.org/ is accepting donations via. Paypal for this (and other) relief efforts. I do not know whether it’s possible to specify or earmark funds for a particular cause, however.

3. International Medical Corps http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/ You can text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10 (presumably USA only).

4. Salvation Army: is sending a team to Sendai. The following is taken from the Salvation Army (USA) website:
There are five ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Japan:
- Text the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
- By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
- On-line at: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
- By mail: Send your check, marked “Japan earthquake relief” to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301-0959
At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in Japan.

Canadians may donate by visiting the Canadian Salvation Army website: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/

5. The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund at http://www.globalgiving.org/

6. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ MSF Japan currently has teams trying to reach the affected areas.

7. Peace Winds Japan is on the ground, distributing relief supplies. http://www.peace-winds.org/en/ Overseas donations can be made through their partner MercyCorps https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan (Personal note: they seem to have the most direct, quickest way to donate on their website, compared to any other organization).

8. CRASH Japan (This is my personal charity of choice. I have worked with them on the ground during earthquake relief efforts in Niigata a couple years ago, and have several friends within the organization). I list this charity last, as they are a Christian organization (and I want to be sensitive to those who may not share my spiritual views) that operates within a network of churches throughout Japan.

a) Go to http://crashjapan.com/ and fill in the form in the “Contact Us” section. Ask for updated information on the Sendai earthquake to be sent to you, as well as a request for how you can help.

b) USA: Checks with donations can be sent to:

Horizon Central
1001 E. Palmer St.Indianapolis,
IN 46203 USA

Please write: CRASH – Japan earthquake in the comment line of the check to ensure the funds are sent to the correct account.

[KiltedDixon]

Glad you are ok. Excellent post. God Bless.

[Coinneach]

It's a great comfort to hear that you are doing well. Thanks, too, for the numerous ways we can help. Continue to take care.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for letting us know all is well at your end CDNSushi. Although Japan is one of the leading countries that has developed earthquake and tsunami responses, you can't beat mother nature, no matter how hard you try.

The japanese people continue to be in my thoughts.

[CMcG]

Take care CDNSushi. I'm glad you're ok!

[Brian K]

Glad you're OK, CDN, I thought about you all day.

[tripleblessed]

Good to hear you're OK.

[Shuteye]

My wife and I have been heartsick over the devastation in Japan. I have finally heard from my father who lives near Osaka, and as expected, all is OK there. My nephew who lives inland of Sendai has 10 people living in his small bachelor's pad at the moment.

So glad you are OK!

[cessna152towser]

Thanks for reporting in, glad to here that all is OK with you and yours.