The images are heartbreaking. The news coverage brings more tales of danger and potentially greater catastrophe every hour. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake, massive tsunami, and now nuclear crisis devastating Japan is impossible to turn away from. It inspires the constant, nagging question, how can we help?

Such a tragedy has an inescapable impact on our children as well. Even very young children may catch a few recognizable words on the news, prompting questions, curiosity, and concern. Older children are likely more tuned into to the world around them.

My five-year-old still plays rescue games inspired by last year’s disaster in Haiti, building new homes for her animals and bringing emergency meals to her dolls.  At the mere mention of the word earthquake she asks if anyone is hurt. We did our best to inform her without scaring her.  Little Miss Three instinctively offered helpful suggestions, “they (meaning the survivors) could come live at our house. Minnesota is safe.”

Unfortunately for me, laryngitis has halted my efforts to help them think through exactly how our family can help. Even from thousands of miles away, we can make a difference, and we intend to, just as soon as my voice returns. In the meantime, help me out!

How is your family assisting with relief efforts in Japan?

The girls’ “save” jars are nearly full, and they both are eager to split their donation, making a contribution to The Red Cross along with the local food shelf. We have come up with a few ideas for them to add a little extra money to their jars, though we won’t get started until my voice returns enough to help them get their message out.

Some of their ideas to raise money are

• Paint special pictures and sell them to friends and neighbors
• Make special necklaces and sell them to friends and neighbors
• Host a hot chocolate stand on the corner (it’s getting warmer so people are out walking, but it’s still hot cocoa weather)
• Or even just go door to door with a jar, asking for change (though they bailed on the trick or treat for UNICEF thing, so I’m reluctant to try that one.)

Destinations for that money might include

• The Red Cross is always an efficient and reliable  disaster relief organization and they are busily working to meet the immediate needs of survivors. Find their donation page here or simply text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.
• Save the Children, which serves impoverished, marginalized, and vulnerable children worldwide, has established an operations base in one of the hardest hit areas in northern Japan. You can find their donation page here or simply text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222.
• World Vision, another organization striving to meet the needs of children and families worldwide, has an excellent donation page here or you can text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222.

So tell me, how has your family helped out?

Tags: Charitable Giving, Improving Lives, In the News

About Sarah

Sarah Aadland is striving to make family volunteering a meaningful habit for her family of five. Join the conversation as she ponders what they may (or may not have) learned and looks for helpful information about raising compassionate kids.Though she plans to one day put her Masters in Public Policy back to work for social justice, she sees family volunteering as a way to build a stronger community, a better world, and a more connected family. In addition to her children, Sarah tends a large garden, a small flock of chickens, and a habit of mindfulness amid the necessary rituals of parenting.

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