One of the things that I love about blogging is the amazing women that I have met who run blogs similar to mine. Some people might think that we stay away from each other, as we are all "competing" for the same readers. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Frugal Blogger community is made up of some of the nicest, warmest, most generous women I have ever met...and I am proud to call many of them my good friends!
It is because we are all friends that we are able to band together to raise money at a time like this. The pictures and video that are coming out of Japan are heartbreaking and all but incomprehensible. It is times like this that make you truly happy for what you have, and want to help those that have lost everything...homes, communities and in far too many cases, loved ones.
How can you help?
PRAY. Pray for the people, pray for the families, pray for the destruction, pray for the lost survivors, pray for those that did not make it…pray.
DONATE. Even donations of $1 to $5 can help. If we all (as readers of Moms Need To Know) gave, we could donate upwards of a hundred thousand dollars! Consider your donation a small amount toward the FREE service you get on MNTK.
Please remember that it is at times like these that the scammers come out of the woodwork, looking to prey on your generosity with bogus charities. Here are a few charities that I trust:
The American Red Cross: You can make a donation on line. Or, you can simply text REDCROSS to 90999 and instantly donate $10 to the Japanese relief efforts.
The Salvation Army: You can also donate on-line here as well. You can also text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 and make an instant donation.
Heart to Heart International: Only 2% of all donations are kept to cover overhead. That means 98% of what you send to them will actually make it to the quake ravaged areas.
Samaritan’s Purse: This is the company that I will be sending my money toward. I know many bloggers who have worked with them and their lives have been forever affected for the better . Donate HERE.
Let me know if you are planning to donate or pray for this cause. Moms Need To Know will contribute $1 for each comment left below (up to $300) to Samaritans Purse. There are other bloggers who are joining in this relief effort and doing the same thing. They all agree that we can do something and should if we can.
Blogs Joining in the Effort:
Mojo Savings
Passion for Savings
Sissy
What a wonderful way to bring attention to a disaster and remind us how we can help in our own way. It is easy to feel so overwhelmed in the face of such a huge need. Thank you for this opportunity.
Aimee Dombrowski
What a wonderful thing you all are doing! I will continue praying and also have donated! Thank you.
Chandra
Praying for all affected by this disaster and praying for the safety of all who are going to provide aid.
Roxie
We are praying for Japan as they recover. We will be making a donation to help.
Adrienne S.
What a great way to bring attention to aide efforts after this crisis!
Jackie R
Thank you for doing this. Heartbreaking. I know people over there that are thankfully safe, but obviously many are not. My husband was stationed at Okinawa when he was in the USAF, and we have a special place in our hearts for Japan, not to mention of course that these types of things always affect us no matter where they happen.
I will also be donating to Samaritan's Purse.
MJKeenan
Samaritan's Purse is a wonderful organization. I will donate to them and have donated to their "Shoebox" campaign at Christmastime. A college roommate of mine is from Kyoto and I visited her and her family there for two weeks in '92. Very generous, gracious and welcoming people.
Laura
Thank you so much for this post and encouraging everyone to donate!
Lindsey Leavitt
Thanks for this post.
Michelle
Way to spread the word!
Sarah
Our family donated through Salvation Army and we are praying for all those affected.
Katrina
Praying for wisdom and skill for the engineers who are working on the nuclear reactors, as well as for all who are administering aid. And praying for the people of Japan that in the midst of sorrow and devastation--not only would their immediate needs be met, but that their hearts would also be encouraged and comforted. We will be making a donation through Samaritan's Purse.
S. Wade
Thank you for donating space on your blog for this. I'm praying for all those impacted by this devestating tragedy.
Jennifer
The pictures and videos are horrendous and heartbreaking. We always donate through our church for things like this.
Jaime
Just made a donation to the Red Cross. Thank you for posting this.
Barbara Ramirez
I, too, think your kindness, caring and generosity is shining through with this most recent effort! I WILL and HAVE BEEN praying for all of those suffering or lost in Japan....
Gabrielle
I feel horrible for those poor people 🙁 I can't even imagine the grief they are experiencing. I wish I could donate, however my husband and I are trying hard to keep our own family afloat in this economy...I hope my comment helps. Thank you for your generosity!
Kelly w
Always praying.... we give on a regular basis to a variety of needs and think Samaritan's Purse is a wonderful organization. My kid fill up a shoe box or two every Christmas. Our most recent giving was to http://www.watoto.com/home - A children's rescue in Uganda. Thank you to all the bloggers pulling this together to help the need in Japan.
Jenny
I can't even begin to imagine the devastation that the people of Japan are going through. Thank you for giving of yourself.
HEATHER D.
THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL INFORMATION. YOUR GENEROSITY IS AN INSPIRATION. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY.
rebecca
Praying for all the people in Japan who have had their lives taken or greatly uprooted.
becky
My husband was in Tokyo last week for a work conference when the earthquakes hit. I have never prayed as much as I did Friday until he walked through our front door, safe at home on Sunday morning. The devastation is real and heartbreaking and it will be a long time until Japan recovers, but they will!
Liz Taylor
Thanks for putting the links up and and making it easy for us to donate. We will be praying for them and donating as well.
jennifer
you can also donate very easily through Amazon if you have an online account with them!!!!
Mary in MN
I wish I could donate a dollar for every tear I've wept seeing the devestating pictures of Japan and it's people. Although I am on disability, I am going to donate to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, both which are wonderful organizations that utilize almost every penny for the cause, and not for a CEO's pocket. My heartfelt prayers are with all in Japan and else where in the world, where our world is crumbling apart.
Jane
We can hardly wrap our heads around the Japanese tragedy. i was praying with my daughter yesterday afternoon about how we could help. Later on in the evening I received an email from Samaritan's Purse and promptly sent them a donation. Thank you for backing this wonderful organization and for your generosity in donating to them on your readers' behalf.
Lauren
Thanks for giving. Lots of prayers.L
Debbie (Bloganthropy)
This is a great idea! Thank you so much for organizing. Bloggers unite!
Gayle McLaughlin
I just found out about your website and what you are doing for Japan! Thank you for organizing this. I am praying, and I am donating. I am also going to retweet this and mention you on my blog!! Keep up the good work. Go Bloggers!
Wendy C
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Melissa G
Thank you for donating. Praying for the families.
Amy
My dad grew up in Japan, and I have an aunt and uncle living there, whoa re okay. But this is such a sad situation that will take a very long time to recover from. I have been praying and will continue to pray, as well as supporting the organization I am on the board for, Mennonite Central Committee. Thanks for using your blog as a platform to help!
cate
praying for the people in Japan!
Dee
So generous!!!
And FYI, the earthquake was upgraded to a 9.0 magnitude. Not that I'd know the difference. Apparently the Earth's axis shifted by 8cm and Japan's coastline by up to 15 feet!
Kim
Thank you so much for this generous gesture. Prayers to Japan.
Hana in MA
Thanks for taking part in this. Every way to help no matter how small to how big is what's needed.
I appreciate your spreading the word and taking part.
Maggie @ Snag A Bargain
My mom was in Japan on business when the earthquake hit. She was getting into an elevator when it hit. She said the earthquake was horrible and the aftershocks were pretty bad too. She was terrified. I am lucky to finally have her home safe and sound. My heart goes out to all of the families that are affected by this tragedy and I applaud you for giving such a charitable donation to help people in their greatest time of need!
Rose Atwater
Glad to help in every way I can!
ellen
I volunteer for the SA food giveaway M-F I know we all are praying! Will add this to RTs!
katie t
thanks for posting this. my family has been watching videos of the disaster tonight and it's heartbreaking.
Diana B
I plan to donate through World Vision today.
Ryan P
Thank you for taking the bold step in changing the world, Mindi.
strawlis
This is a wonderfully way to contribute! Thanks for doing this!
Young
Great job, count me in.
Ani W
Japan holds an extra special place in my heart: I lived there for several years. My heart is hurting for the people of Japan. Thank you for being so generous and donating to help them recover.
I am planning on donating to the Red Cross, at the very least. My whole family has been praying for the Japanese people.
Renae
Thank you for your generosity! It is wonderful to see all of the links and comments. It is so devastating and heartbreaking to watch the news and see the images. Praying and hoping.
Karen Dunn
I am praying for all that have suffered loss from the Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear explosions in Japan. Thank you for your generous effort to contribute to this cause.
Ann
My family and I are praying for the people of Japan.
Jane
great post, hoping for Japan's recovery.
Luke
This is a great thing you're doing, thank you so much! Mighty fine post as well.
story
Thank you so much for doing this. This is a wonderful way to make a difference.
Atltaics
Pray for japan, thankyou for donating!
Emily
Thank you for donating. I pray for the victims of the earthquake.
christy r
Hi,
Great idea and a wonderful cause.
Thanks !
Carly Childs
A wonderful idea. I am currently writing a blog to help others connect with charitable options. Thank you!
i putu novyari kuzazi
pray for japan...donate
Nibras
THANK YOU FOR DONATING!!!!!
katie
Sending my prayers to those in Japan. Thank you for doing this!!!
KIMBERLI
omg i am so sad for japan.
Cindy
You guys are the best!
Thank you so much 🙂
God bless you all 😀
Jane
It's so nice of you to do this 🙂
Thank you so much <3
Alicia
Thank you so much for donating and supporting them. ♥ (:
Jen
Tanks for doing this!
Roseli A. Bakar
Donated. Great thing you are doing here.
Halo
Power to Japan!!! Dont give up hope! ;U;
Mitz
I extend my heartfelt thanks that you are donating, and I offer my prayers to the people of Japan who have been affected by this tragedy.
JessW
Thanks so much~
Ta
It is so kind and wonderful of you to do this.
My prayers and thoughts to Japan in this terrible crisis.
Alyssa
It is very generous of you to do this !
Pray for Japan
Thank you.
Lily
Thank you for doing this. My heart goes out to everyone who were affected by the earthquake and tsunami...if you can't donate, pray, and if you don't pray, keep them in your thoughts.
Brian
Great idea! Thanks for helping to make a difference. We donated to the Red Cross.
Meg
Its so fabulous that you are doing this! I love it when bloggers rally behind a cause and make a difference. You ROCK!!
Paulette
Thank you for making a difference! Many blessings! I lived in Nagasaki and am having a hard time with the utter destruction. Japanese people possess much strength and will persevere. Gambatte kudasai! (Fight on!)
NCSue
Hi, and thanks for this idea. I'm joining in the effort as well Go to the top of my sidebar for links to these pages:
Blog Hops For Every Day Of The Week!
Help make the world a better place!,
How to help earthquake/ tsunami victims in Japan
Note that I will donate $2 for each new follower via Google Friend Connect for the remainder of the month of March!
Have a great week!
NCSue
http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/
Ari Thompson
Thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese in their time of need. I admire their enduring spirit and cannot imagine what it would be like if this were to happen to us.
Jean
みんなありがと！！！
（Thanks everyone!)
Krishna Agrawal
God Bless Japan..!
aayana
thanks a lot it's a good way to help even if you can't go there yourself 🙂
aayana
happy to help in anyway i can keep up the good work.
Elizabeth
We're doing the same! Audiobooks for Your Kids is donating ALL of its sales from March 22 to March 29, 2011 to the American Red Cross disaster relief. You can purchase the app here:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/audiobooks-for-your-kids/id409956812?mt=8
It's classic children's books for kids. Content is FREE.
Tapas
thank you so much for your efforts.
i believe japanese people wil defeat this disister too.
Srishti
Click like and they donate $1 to Japan Relief Fund for every like they receive. Do it now. http://www.facebook.com/exploredogs?sk=app_7146470109
Lets Pray.
Zach
For any additional fundraising, my work is providing Lend Japan a Hand shirts for fund raisers. Not trying to profit on people's misfortune, just trying to help in any way we can. If interested, I posted a pic of the design at http://www.grscreenprinting.com/blog
Elizabeth
God bless Japan.
Hari K Malayath
Lets all pray for japan...........thnq for donating...
Addy
pray for japan ,donate money and it will not only benefit them...it benefits us! praise the Lord!
Kelly Rodriguez
You are doing something great. I have a friend over there...
Kristi Vandergriff
Sending my prayers as it seems to get worse everyday. Thanks for this generous way to help!
Vicki
What a wonderful thing to do!!
God Bless!
Taika
Wonderful, keep lending a helping hand. ^_^
Debi
What a great idea !
Windy
What a wonderful way to get involved for a good cause!
Kelly
My family and I are praying for Japan.
Melissa
Wonderful idea! My family and I are praying for Japan.
Soni
This is really a great work.
God bless them
Allyson
Thank you for doing this! I plan to donate, as well.
Connie
I will be doing both.
Amber
What a great way to help those in need.
Lindsay
I am praying! What a devestating event, my heart breaks for the people.
Jackie
Thank you for donating. I've given to Samaritan's purse before and they are a great organization doing wonderful work!
Nymphodora
This is a very good way to help those people in need.....Hope Japan recovers uickly and returns to its former glory!
Megha
Praying for peace for all those who are affected in Japan's earth quake and Tsunami.
Jaimie Adams
This is such a great way to help. Thank you for allowing us to play a small part, too.
Kii
I pray to Japan's people for their strong will and endurance to survive through the course of this most unfortunate disastrous event