Donating to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts

(If this looks familiar, it's because we emailed it to our list yesterday.  If you didn't get that email, you can sign up using the "Contact" link above or here: Contact Us.)

Some of you may have been wondering how you can give, and which organizations are trustyworthy.  I know three organizations for certain to whom you can contribute funds that will reach the affected areas quickly and have a good impact.

Mission to the World (MTW) has created a Minuteman account for the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief, which will be funneled to the MTW teams providing relief and to the other groups that they have partnered with. You can give online via their website, via this direct link: https://www2.mtw.org/donations/donate/AddDesignation.aspx?No=93993, or you can go to their homepage at MTW.org. You can also mail a check to the address below. They will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt.

Mission to the World

P.O. Box 116284

Atlanta, GA 30368-6284

(Please be sure to write Project # 93993 on the memo line. )

Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope (CRASH) is coordinating efforts based out of the Chiba area, assisted by the MTW team there, among others. They will be establishing bases in and around the affected areas to bring supplies and assistance in to the survivors, and will be continuing these efforts as long as they are needed. You can find out more by visiting their website at CRASHJapan.com, and you can donate three ways:

Horizon Christian Fellowship is managing their donations online, and you can access it via this link: http://www.horizonsd.org/index.php?p=170. The donate link is about 3/4 of the way down the page. If you donate via their website, they will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt.

You can also donate via PayPal through the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php/component/content/article/57-feature-article/500-japan-tohoku-quake-relief-donations. You will not be provided with a tax-deductible receipt, however.

You can also mail a check to Horizon Central, and be sure to write CRASH in the memo line on the check. I do not know for certain if you will receive a tax-deductible receipt, but I believe you should.

Horizon Central

1001 E. Palmer St.Indianapolis,

IN 46203 USA

The American Red Cross is also accepting donations, of course, which will be funneled to the Japanese Red Cross, who is already providing assistance and relief.  You can donate via their website: http://www.redcross.org/, or via iTunes: https://p8-buy.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/buyCharityGiftWizard.

If all of those options aren't enough and you want to give through another organization, please verify that the organization and method you choose to use is legitimate.  In a time of crisis like this, there will likely be many people who will prey on those who are moved to give charitably.  Don't let yourself fall victim to a scam.  If you're not sure about a particular organization or website, feel free to send us an email and we will look it over and see if we can determine if it is legitimate.