How to Help Japan

In light of the recent turmoil in Japan, it can be difficult to sort through all the noise and understand the best ways to help out. The Volunteer and Service Center at CSU Fullerton has compiled a list of resources, which you can download here.

The list is detailed, but here are some quick highlights:

Easy Ways to Donate $10

• American Red Cross: Text REDCROSS to 90999. ($10)
• Salvation Army: Text JAPAN to 80888. ($10)
• Living Social: Donate $5 to Red Cross through Living Social and they will match your donation.

Volunteering

• Volunteers who are skilled in disaster relief and are familiar with Japanese language and culture will be needed.
• Well-intentioned individuals without vital disaster relief skills and Japanese fluency should contribute in other ways, such as donation.
• CIDI.org is a good start for learning how you can contribute as a volunteer.

2/26/11: PAPER WORDS on PBS

PAPER WORDS is a short 3D-animated film about a bright, five year old girl from China who uses her imagination to cope with her new life in America. Its content in the unusual form of animation makes this a unique, entertaining while being educational program for broad audiences as well as Asian Americans and immigrants.

PAPER WORDS is having its national broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. It will be playing in 26 states and about 50 cities.

The program is playing as part of GLOBAL VOICES and it is programmed for morning and evening shows -- a great time for kids. At least some of the cities are:

Boston, Milwaukee, New York, Phoenix, Spokane, Tucson, Philadelphia, Burlington VT, Knoxville TN, Dallas-Fort Worth, Cleveland OH, Syracuse, Santa Fe, Rochester, Vermont, NYC, and plenty of places in Idaho, Little Rock AR, Chico CA, Redding CA, and many other cities.

To learn more about the program and to see a clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tC59_fx7Co

To see if it is playing in your city and for channels and showtimes, visit:
http://itvs.org/television?film=paper-words