Supporting Japan: Two Years Later

by Amy Yen, Digital Communications Manager, American Red Cross

Today is the two-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. Two years ago, the generosity of the American public helped the American Red Cross raise $312 million toward relief efforts. Those donations have gone toward everything from rebuilding hospitals and nursing schools to providing nearly 338,000 people with appliances for their new homes to providing emotional support to survivors.

It is because of the kindness of so many of you that we have been able to put our support behind our partners at the Japanese Red Cross as Japan continues to rebuild. Two years ago, we put the call out for your help. Here are some of the many stories of how many of you right here in DFW answered:

• Handmade Guitars Help Heal Japan
• Small Hands Raise Big Change to Help Japan
• Families Come Together to Help Citizens of a Devastated Country Half a World Away

As we look back two years later, please know that your amazing generosity and compassion back then was felt and continues to make a difference today. It is because of your support that the American Red Cross continues to stand ready to help, whenever and wherever we are needed.

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Serving Japan: One Year Later

By Lilly Watson, American Red Cross contributor



March 11, 2011 was the beginning of spring in America and the beginning of an entirely new chapter for so many people in Japan. We watched in horror as Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, and then a major tsunami raced across the country's Pacific coastline. And to make matters even worse, a nuclear disaster followed. As a country, we came together and responded with awe-inspiring support.


So many of you generously donated to the Red Cross repsonse to Japan, knowing that when a person is displaced and in need of comfort, we are there. A year later we are still in Japan helping its citizens rebuild and reconnect. Please click the link below to see our stewardship report that shows how your dollars went into action during the first waves of crisis and how they are continuing to work today.


http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/international/Japan/JapanEarthquakeTsunami_OneYear.pdf


Down the street, around the nation or around the world, the American Red Cross will be there. To donate to the Red Cross today, you can make a gift online at redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS to text REDCROSS to 90999.

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Small Hands Raise Big Change to Help Japan

A big thank you to students at Lawson Elementary School in Grand Prairie, Texas for raising $250 to support Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

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Photos from Give 'Em Shelter Benefit Concert for Japan

On Wednesday, March 30, 570 KLIF presented Give 'Em Shelter a benefit concert for Japan featuring The Stoneleighs, a Rolling Stones tribute band with Point Blank and other special guests. The concert held at the House of Blues in Dallas raised more than $3,000 for the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan.

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570 KLIF to Present Give 'Em Shelter Benefit Concert

Wednesday, March 30, 570 KLIF will present Give 'Em Shelter Tsunami Relief Show featuring The Stoneleighs, a Rolling Stones Tribute with Point Blank and other special guests. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan. Doors open at 6:00pm and the show gets underway at 7:30pm. Chris Krok from KLIF will broadcast live from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

For more information, call (214) 978-BLUE (2583) or visit the House of Blues website.

Location:
House of Blues Dallas - Cambridge Room
White Swan Building
Dallas, TX 75202

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Families Come Together to Help Citizens of a Devastated Country Half a World Away

By Jeanne Shuffler

A family can be defined as any group of people you can count on when you need help, whether they be friends, relatives or a combination of the two. Right now, the people of Japan are in desperate need of help and hope. On Saturday, March 19th, a family, made up of kindhearted Dallas residents and the folks at Dallas/Fort Worth Spanish radio station MEGA 107.5 FM, joined the American Red Cross in answering the call for help by hosting a fundraising carwash to support relief efforts half a world away.

In the days and weeks following the Earthquake and Tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, the American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to raise funds to provide help and hope. Just after the disasters occurred, the staff at MEGA 107.5 FM reached out to the American Red Cross to offer their help. Outside a Wendy’s in Oak Cliff on a sunny and at times, windy afternoon, the mission to raise funds for relief began. I was lucky enough to be there to see this family as they not only scrubbed cars free of dirt, but provided the same kind of restoration for the country of Japan.

When I arrived, I was immediately given a warm welcome by members of the MEGA 107.5 station and Red Cross volunteers. Greetings had to remain short and sweet, as cars were coming in droves, often with the line wrapping around the parking lot. Even when we thought we had cleared them all and could take a breather, a large lunch truck came around the corner ready for its touch-up, calling for all hands on deck.

We saw repeat customers that were also repeat donors. One gentleman came through the carwash, donated, rolled his window down a second time to tell us what a great job we were doing, and donated again. Later, the same gentleman came back with a different vehicle, and donated a third time, compelled to act as family for people half a world away who needed his help.

Looking around at the diversity of the volunteers, I was curious where they all came from. Some came from area schools where MEGA 107.5’s morning personality, Shoboy, encourages Hispanic students to stay in school and be active in their community. Some volunteers were from a local sorority and fraternity that had arranged to come and help. The rest - they just showed up.

When I asked one woman what brought her out with her young son and daughter, she mentioned they were listening to the radio at home when the kids heard about the carwash. They told her they wanted to come out to help wash the cars. Once she knew the kids weren’t going to let up, she packed them in the car and drove out to Oak Cliff from their home in Arlington. Now that’s family!

It was truly a pleasure to meet the variety of people there that day. One in particular was eight year old Diana Osorio, who became my little helper. Whatever job needed to be done, she was on top of it. It was hard to tell where she was at times. One second she was waving a sign to get the cars to come in, the next soaping up a Honda, and the next asking if she could hold the box to take the next donation. For eight hours, Diana didn’t stop once and her commitment to help out was infectious.

I was so amazed and impressed with the sense of community I experienced that afternoon. It was only matched by the selfless generosity I witnessed from the endless stream of cars that came through. Two incredible things happened at the end of the day. First, Shoboy gathered all the volunteers together in an inspirational huddle expressing the station’s gratitude for all who came out and worked so hard. Second, nearly $1,700 was raised for the American Red Cross for the relief efforts in Japan.

Though I was touched and in awe of the events of the day, nobody else seemed too surprised about what we had accomplished together. I was told that what I had experienced – people who didn’t know each other coming together to help the citizens of a devastated country half a world away – this is the essence of family. All I can say to MEGA 107.5 FM, their wonderful listeners and the volunteers at the American Red Cross is that, as a family, we provided help and hope to citizens of Japan. “Muchas gracias” for a great day!

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The Heart of One Child Offers Hope to a Nation

Liam and Lori Hyde

By Anita Foster, American Red Cross, Dallas, Texas

Earlier this week, I was on the phone with Lori Hyde, one of my best girlfriends who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia. We hadn’t spoken since the earthquake and tsunami hit in Japan. Working for the Red Cross, she expects that I’ll disappear for a while as we set up relief operations, fundraisers and the like. Since the morning of March 11 though, I had been anxious to talk to her. Married to a retired Marine, Lori and her husband were stationed in Japan for a number of years, and in fact, both of her boys were born there.

Chatting like girlfriends do, she was sharing with me the culture of the Japanese people and telling stories of how they practiced tsunami and earthquake drills. I briefed her on all of the drives we had already done, and the interesting ones we had coming up. Then she said, “You won’t believe what Liam said yesterday…”

And so the story begins. Lori and her 12-year-old son, Liam, were in the car driving into Washington D.C. for lunch when Liam asked her about the people in Japan. “We really don’t keep the evening news on in the house,” said Lori. “We have young boys so we try to monitor what they’re seeing, but it was obvious that Liam had done his homework because he knew all about the quake, the tsunami and even the nuclear plant.” Liam had taken the time to look behind the headlines to figure out what had happened in Japan, and for days, he internalized the information and tried to figure out how he could help. “He went to Yahoo and watched the videos of the tsunami coming in and inherently understood that people were going to suffer and need help,” said Lori. “So he asks me if he can send food or clothing or water to Japan. I explained that the best way to help was to give money. He sat silently for a minute, but I could see his wheels spinning and after a bit, he turned to me and said, ‘Well, I have money. I can give money.’ So I said sure honey. You can give half of your allowance. Liam looked at me and said, ‘No, I can give it all. They need it more than me right now.’

Together, Lori and Liam rounded up his $30 allowance, but not feeling like he was doing enough, he asked his Mom to withdraw a matching $30 from his savings account for a total gift of $60 to be sent through the American Red Cross to the Japanese Red Cross.

I called Liam today to thank him for his gift and as we were chatting, I asked him some questions about how he was feeling. “When I first saw the pictures of the devastation, it was shocking,” said Liam. “I felt really bad inside. I asked my Mom if I could collect and send some things over to Japan, but she said what they needed was money so I decided to give my money to them.” When one child opens his heart to help a nation heal, it can’t help but to open ours too. Through the heart and mind of this precious young boy, we are reminded that the world is one; and when one suffers, we all suffer. Liam said it best. “After I decided to give money, it made me feel great on the inside because I know that I’m helping one human being, or in this case, many human beings.”

I asked Liam what he would do if this kind of disaster happened here where we live and spoken like the young humanitarian he is, he said, “If this happened in the United States, I could set aside some time and go there to help. Maybe I could clear debris or something.”

Of course my girlfriend Lori is amazingly proud of her little boy who has so innocently reminded us what being a humanitarian is all about. “I’m so proud of him because he truly cares about other people,” said Lori. “That comes from inside of him. We just try to set a good example and then point him in the right direction so he knows how to help in the best way.”

For me, I’m proud to know a young person like Liam Hyde. A boy who would give up a video game or some other prized possession so that he could help people a world away is a hero in my mind. So we’re honored to take Liam’s $60 donation, put it together with yours and mine, and turn our compassion into action to help a nation of people on the other side of the world. Thank you, Liam Hyde. You’ve made a difference.

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Red Cross Relief Efforts Continue In Japan, An Update from Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

It’s been eleven days since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan captured the world’s attention. Since then, residents in Dallas and our surrounding communities have leapt into action to help. Through our telethon with WFAA Channel 8 and radio drives with 103.7 LiteFM and Mega 107.5, you have contributed more than $83,000 already! We encourage you to keep giving at our website www.redcross.org or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Additionally, we’d like to share with you how you can help in the local area. In this update, I’ll brief you on the current situation in Japan and then share with you some exciting ways that you can help us right here in Dallas as we carry out our humanitarian mission every day.

First let me say that the news coming out of Japan is likely to get worse before it gets better. I know that’s heartbreaking to hear as the people there have already suffered so greatly. But the reality of the situation is overwhelming. Just to highlight a few of the humanitarian challenges:

• Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has raised the alert level at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from four to five on a seven-point international scale for atomic accidents.
• The number of officially missing stands at more than 12,000 lives and rising
• The number of confirmed deaths stands at close to 10,000 and is expected to rise dramatically
• Approximately 373,000 homes are without electricity and 1.8 million homes are still without water

In the midst of this epic disaster in Japan, progress is beginning to happen. Vital infrastructures such as airports and seaports are being repaired. The Sendai airport, which was submerged by the tsunami, is now open to emergency vehicles, airplanes and helicopters. The number of people in evacuation centers has decreased from 450,000 two nights ago to 390,000 overnight.

While slight improvements are happening on some fronts, recovery for the country of Japan will take years. Each of us who are helping today will be a part of that recovery process for the Japanese people. And please know that they appreciate your support. Last Friday, an official with the Japanese Red Cross sent us these words to share with all of you:

“The compassion the American people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the American Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with such an immense humanitarian tragedy. This financial support is very much needed and continues to be welcomed to help the hundreds of thousands of lives that will forever be changed by this disaster.”

While our teams here at the Red Cross are working around the clock to help the people of Japan, we’re also responding to single and multi-unit apartment fires across the local area. Just this weekend, we helped 12 families who burned out in a Lewisville apartment fire along with seven families who lost their homes one at a time. Typically, we help an average of three families every day. You can help us take care of these local families too!

On Saturday, March 26, 2011 we will host our first-ever “Roll Call at the Crescent” event to highlight the amazing 100 years that the Dallas Area Chapter has been responding locally. A handful of tickets are still available for the event so we’re encouraging you to come out and join us and support local relief efforts right here at home too.

On behalf of every volunteer and staff member at the American Red Cross, we thank you for the many ways in which you’re helping the people of Japan and those who need you here at home. It is heartwarming to be surrounded by so many people who know that humanity begins at home, and spreads wherever it needs to be. Until our next update, I wish you nothing but the best.

Warmest Wishes,
Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

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Mega 107.5 to Help Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Mega 107.5 will be collecting financial donations for the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan in three location on Saturday, March 19.

CARWASH at Wendy's
2328 W. Illinois Ave
Dallas, TX 75224
10am-4pm

Virgin Mobile
Station Remote with Shoboy
618 Park Row Dr.
Arlington, TX 76010
12pm- 2pm
Shoboy will be at this location

Car Toys
3301 W Airport Freeway
Irving, TX 75062
2-4 pm
Eddie J will be at this location

Join us if you can!

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Gene & Julie from 103.7 Lite FM to Help Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

The Gene & Julie Show on 103.7 Lite FM will be out at 3 locations on Friday, March 18, from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. collecting financial donations for the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

Starbucks Flower Mound
2646 Flower Mound Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
(News Director David Rancken will be here)

Starbucks Garland
6075 Broadway
Garland, TX 75043
(Producer Kelly Fair will be here)

Starbucks Forest Hill
3300 SE Loop 820
Forest Hill, TX 76140
(Web Producer Jeanne McGuire will be here)

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Japan Was Prepared, Are We?

The unthinkable happens.
As the earthquake rocked the shores of Japan, its people - including elderly, children and the vulnerable - only had a few minutes to evacuate before the large tsunami hit. Within this short time-span, many lives were lost and much property was irrevocably damaged.

The best laid plans.
This massive earthquake followed by a tsunami is something that even the most prepared country in the world did not expect. It is well-known that Japan has in place early-warning systems, strict building codes, and citizens that are heavily-versed in escape routes. Even with all this, Japan is still suffering after-effects of unimaginable proportions.

Let us take heed.
As the Japanese experience proved, even the best thought-out plans do not unfold as expected. What are our plans? Are we ready for a mega-disaster? Perhaps it is time for us to prepare.

Related Links

• With severe weather in the forecast, make a plan
• Tsunami Relief telethon
• Locating loved ones in Japan

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Video from WFAA/Channel 8 Telethon to Support Relief Efforts in Japan

This week, WFAA/Channel 8 will be supporting the Red Cross by holding a three-day telethon in support of the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts. The phone bank will be manned by volunteers from the Dallas Area Chapter during the evening newscast March 15-17 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossDallas and we will tweet the call-in number.

Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. Those who want to help can go to http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

WFAA is the exclusive television partner of the 100th anniversary of the Dallas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

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Update on Relief Efforts in Japan from Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

Watching the tragic images unfold in Japan over these past few days has been unbearable. So many millions of people are suffering tremendous loss…of their precious loved ones, their homes and even their homeland.

While it may seem like we’re powerless to help from a world away, we’re really not. In this update, I’ll share with you all of the ways that we can help from right here in our own homeland.

Before we get to that though, I was to ask you to think about your own personal state of readiness. Do you have a disaster supply kit packed and ready to go today? What about a family communication plan? These tools can save your life so jump on www.redcross.org/beredcrossready if you need help getting a preparedness plan started.

Please know that all of us at the American Red Cross are heartsick over the catastrophic events in Japan. That’s why we’re working around the clock to raise funds for our neighbors and friends to the east. And you’ve been right there with us every step of the way. We can’t thank you enough for caring so much for others. Please accept our deepest gratitude and let me know if you have any questions that I don’t answer in this update.

Warmest regards,
Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

American & Japanese Red Cross Relationship

The American Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross have a long and valued relationship. The American Red Cross supported Japan after the 1995 Kobe earthquake and in turn, they helped the American Red Cross following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

We have been in close contact with our colleagues in the Pacific region to offer our support, and the American Red Cross deployed a disaster management expert Sunday from its Washington, D.C., headquarters to Japan for a week-long mission. She is serving on a seven-person, international team focused on providing high-level support and advice to the Japanese Red Cross.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers. These local volunteers in Japan are distributing relief items, making sure displaced people are offered hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation. The Japanese Red Cross has also deployed 95 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses.

One Million Raised in Text Donations

As of Sunday afternoon (March 13), the American Red Cross had raised approximately $7.8 million for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response with more than $1.1 million in text donations.

WFAA/Channel 8 Telethon

This week, WFAA/Channel 8 will be supporting the Red Cross by holding a three-day telethon in support of the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts. The phone bank will be manned by volunteers from the Dallas Area Chapter during the evening newscast March 15-17.

How You Can Help

Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. Those who want to help can go to http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

Top Headlines

Gail McGovern On Relief Efforts In Japan
Monday night, Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, talked to CNN's Piers Morgan about the relief effort in Japan. Read more

How To Find Loved Ones In Japan

With thousands of missing people in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, families are anxiously looking for information about their loved ones. Read more

Red Cross Launched Call Center to Help Separated Loved Ones
On Saturday, the Dallas Area Chapter supported the Earthquake/Tsunami relief efforts by staffing a call center at the Red Cross location in McKinney, Texas. The Response Center Network is an extension of our national headquarters operation and it's activated when a disaster overwhelms the capacity of any one call center. Our volunteers manned the phone lines as desperate family members were trying to reach their loved ones believed to be in Japan. Our teams helped these families get to the www.icrc.org/familylinks website where they could register or search for a missing person. The list is painful to view, and grows rapidly every day. Read more about our call center


Gabrille Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday
The tragedy in Japan reminds us how important it is to be prepared for a disaster. On Saturday, March 19th, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will offer free lifesaving training in honor of Gabrille Giffords and those impacted by the tragedy in Tucson earlier this year. Read more

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Kid Texts Donation, Encourages Other

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Gail McGovern On Relief Efforts In Japan

Monday night, Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, talked to CNN's Piers Morgan about the relief effort in Japan.

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How To Find Loved Ones In Japan

With thousands of missing people in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, families are anxiously looking for information about their loved ones. Unfortunately, the list of unaccounted keeps getting longer and longer. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting today that over 10,000 people are dead or missing, and many officials believe that estimate is too low.

You can turn to several Web sites for information on missing people:

ICRC Family Links: Register on this Web
site from inside or outside the affected areas if you're looking for a
relative or if you want to inform your relatives that you are alive. This is
a free service and is available in various languages.

Google People Finder:
Search for someone or leave information about someone. This is a free service and available in several languages.

Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or 202 647-5225.

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