Local organizations work on Japan relief

It’s a frustrating feeling to watch the unspeakable horror and suffering of the Japanese people in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, yet not be able to help.

But some organizations are working to support relief efforts to assist survivors of the disaster.

Several Grand Junction-area churches have raised funds to bolster assistance efforts in Japan. One such example is the First Presbyterian Church, where outreach director Debe Colby says members planned to take a special offering called One Great Hour of Sharing at the Palm Sunday service and distribute 33 percent of the collection to Presbyterian Disaster Relief. That organization works with partner groups at disaster sites throughout the world to provide help where it is needed most. Last year, Colby says, the focus was on earthquake-devastated Haiti.

The temptation can be strong, when people are confronted with television pictures of people who need clothing, shelter, and other basic supplies, to try to donate those items to relief efforts. However, Colby says that when disaster happen in faraway locations such as Japan, monetary donations are more effective than donating goods. Donations of goods require shipping and might not meet the precise needs of affected people. In contrast, monetary donations can be used by relief agencies to efficiently purchase the most-needed services and supplies for disaster relief.

The Grand Junction Vineyard church already had an existing relationship with Convoy of Hope, as well as with the Japan-based Christian relief program CRASH.  Vineyard's lead pastor, Kirk Yamaguchi, was in Japan when the disaster hit and quickly put his contacts at the two organizations in touch with one another.  By giving through Convoy of Hope, the church can leverage its cash donation 4-to-1 because in-kind donations can be shipped to places in need.  Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has helped more than 42 million people in over 100 countries, including people in the neighborhood of the Sendai based Morigo Christian Center, where more than twenty CRASH teams have delivered over thirty tons of relief supplies.  Click here to make your donation.

Rotary, of course, is always ready to help where they can.  Rotary International, best known for its efforts to eradicate polio across the globe, also set up a special relief site.  (Click here.)  The Rotary Japan 2011 Disaster Recovery fund was established on March 15.  Donations to the fund count toward Rotary club and district total contribution goals.  However, they are not eligible for Paul Harris recognition and do not count toward club and district Annual Programs Fund goals. 

The American Red Cross is providing relief resources to the Red Cross organization in Japan, and monetary donations are welcome. To donate to Red Cross relief efforts, visit http://www.redcross.org/, click the red “Donate Funds” button, and check “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami” on the page that appears. According to the Red Cross, gifts to the American Red Cross will support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. When donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific crisis, contributions are used to prepare for and service victims of other crises.

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