Japan Disaster Relief Information and Donation Info

Hello Fellow Residents,
I am sure we all share deepest heartfelt sympathy for the victims of
the horrible events in Japan. Times of tradjedy such as this inspires
people to want to help in some way. It also brings out the scammers
looking to make a buck.

Be wary of people seeking donations for any cause. Don't give to strangers
who contact you by e-mail or on the phone. If you've never heard of a charity,
check to see if it is listed on Charity Navigator, which evaluates the financial health and efficiency of more than 5,500 organizations.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the FBI reported that 4,000 scamming
charity sites were created to take advantage of generous donors. If you have received a suspicious e-mail, or have been contacted by someone claiming
to be a victim of a disaster and you are skeptical, the FBI suggests that you contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

Also, you should be especially cautious of appeals seeking personal information
such as PIN and account numbers, and contribute only to well-established organizations such as the American Red Cross.

A charitable organization can be checked out through online resources, such
as GuideStar and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.

Here is a link to an article that explains why you should use texting to make your donations:
Groups use texts, social media for Japan donations. It is very informatiive.

Finally, To make donations, below is a list of organizations contributing to the relief effort.

Japan Relief Donations
Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.

The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
www.redcross.org
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army
donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
www.internationalmedicalcorps.org
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Global Giving
www.globalgiving.org
Text JAPAN or 50555 to donate $10

World Vision
www.worldvision.org
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10

Additionally, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Comcast, Cox, and Dish Network are offering
free calls and texting to Japan for a limited time. You can also text a donation
using Verizon and AT&T.

Be Thankful For All You Have

Edward L. West Sr.