[Nemerov]

Like many of you, I'm feeling terrible about what has happened in Japan. What can we do to offer aid? I'm in the United States, and would like to help organize or join some kind of relief effort to help our kendo brethren in Japan. Does anyone here on Kendo-World know how we can help?

Daemon Donigan

mrdonigan@hotmail.com

[9uWzBx4l]

Your best bet, if you're talking about being on the ground physically as opposed to money-raising, is to approach an aid organisation, maybe the Red Cross.

[occallExtet]

For contribution, America Red Cross or AmeriCare are good.

[trettegeani]

This might be of use: http://www.google.com/crisisresponse...quake2011.html

[ZIDouglas]

I posted in the other thread relating to this:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...view&cpid=1221

This site lists the organizations that are currently prividing aid in Japan so those organizations are the ones you should probably contact. The American Red Cross is only in the preparation phase right now, they have to wait for Japan to invite them in. In terms of donations, if you want your donation to go directly to the relief efforts there, you should donate to the Japanese Red Cross or one of those orgs listed in the site above.

[Zzvukttz]

In addition to donations to the American Red Cross, there are several businesses that plan to donate through your purchases. I believe that E-Bogu is doing something where 3% of all sales will go to the Japanese Tsunami effort. You could also start up a fundraiser yourself. There is a guy here that is selling "Save Japan" T-shirts for $20, for which all sales will be collected and go to the relief efforts (so far 120 shirts have been sold from the latest email I got). So if you have the drive, then you could possibly do something of the sort for your community.

[wooclosmercob]

While businesses donating parts of their profits is commendable, if you want to donate money, do so directly.

Unless all you want is the feeling that you have done something, then by all means buy a new Same do

[Goksiodiffeli]

I believe that E-Bogu is doing something where 3% of all sales will go to the Japanese Tsunami effort.

All they could manage was 3%?

I like the idea of donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross if it is an option with the exchange. I also like the idea someone on KWF mentioned in the other thread, that their dojo was attempting 3000 suburi for as many sponsorships as they can get.

[AlexBolduin]

It may pay to look into your National Red Cross.

From the Japanese Red Cross Society website;

We heartily appreciate your kind offer of donation.

If you want to donate money to the affected population of earthquake and tsunami, please contact your national Red Cross/Crescent society, which may have already launched fundraising campaign within your country.

If your national society doesn’t collect donation or you wish to send your donations directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society, please direct your fund to the following bank account. If you need the receipt of your fund, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order. All the fund received under this account will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local government of the disaster-affected prefecture and to be distributed directly among the affected population of earthquake and tsunami,

　Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
　Name of Branch: Ginza
　Account No.: 8047670 (Ordinary Account)
　SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
　Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society
　Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN



Personally, I don't need a receipt. True charity is not a tax or a PR item.

[rujeltaoser]

All they could manage was 3%?

I like the idea of donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross if it is an option with the exchange. I also like the idea someone on KWF mentioned in the other thread, that their dojo was attempting 3000 suburi for as many sponsorships as they can get.

There are a few ways to look at this. First, because the donations are based on sales, 3% could end up being a lot of money if they are high. Then, you don't even know if they are donating any additional funds through matching or some other lump sum that they determined they could afford. On that note, people give what they can afford to give. If it's only a dollar, then that's good enough since they at least are thinking enough of others to give what they can. If you're able to give 50% of your profits through donations and still pay bills and eat, then be my guest, just please don't vilify others if they contribute less.

And the note about donating to the Japanese Red Cross is helpful indeed, bit I do queson the need to mention that you don't need a receipt because of your beliefs. I hope you're not implying what I think you're implying. Remember, we are all donating to help others, not compare E-penises.

[iH1wMOhE]

The Canadian Kendo Federation has started a fund for it's members. Please visit the website to donate.

[Tumarimmicdak]

There are a few ways to look at this. First, because the donations are based on sales, 3% could end up being a lot of money if they are high. Then, you don't even know if they are donating any additional funds through matching or some other lump sum that they determined they could afford. On that note, people give what they can afford to give. If it's only a dollar, then that's good enough since they at least are thinking enough of others to give what they can. If you're able to give 50% of your profits through donations and still pay bills and eat, then be my guest, just please don't vilify others if they contribute less.

It sounded like, from what you said, that 3% was all that they were donating, period. For a company that has profited nicely due to Japanese culture for quite some time, it just didn't seem like much at first thought. But I digress, you are right. People just need to donate what they can and any amount is appreciated; 3% from E-Bogu is still far greater than what I can afford.

And the note about donating to the Japanese Red Cross is helpful indeed, bit I do queson the need to mention that you don't need a receipt because of your beliefs. I hope you're not implying what I think you're implying. Remember, we are all donating to help others, not compare E-penises.

No peeing competition here, I have just never understood why people donate then claim back what they can at tax time, doesn't it nullify the donation? And also why you hear of some TV Star, for example, has to make a huge public announcement when they donate X Million Dollars to their chosen charity, It's really a personal thing that you should not expect back IMO. Just one of my pet-peeves.

I'm sorry if I came across as abrasive, I don't want to sully this thread. I still have loved-ones over there too and it's been hard to relax lately, the media here doesn't help.

[Rufio]

No peeing competition here, I have just never understood why people donate then claim back what they can at tax time, doesn't it nullify the donation?

No, it makes the donation more affordable, which is the whole point of the tax break.

[MaickiP]

All the same, when I donate - I'm not expecting it back.

[LoloLibia]

All the same, when I donate - I'm not expecting it back.

You don't get it back, you get a part of it back. It's stupid not to claim it - think of it as the government kicking in extra towards your donation. If you want to feel all morally superior about it, and it seems you do, then just kick in even more money to make up for that money you'll get back.

[tattcasetle]

No peeing competition here, I have just never understood why people donate then claim back what they can at tax time, doesn't it nullify the donation?

Why does that nullify the donation? The money still go to whatever charity you donated to and the gov't then turns around and give you the tax back that you have already paid on those money, because they don't think altruism of that kind should be taxed.
I really fail to see what the problem is.

[haittiweerved]

You don't get it back, you get a part of it back. It's stupid not to claim it - think of it as the government kicking in extra towards your donation. If you want to feel all morally superior about it, and it seems you do, then just kick in even more money to make up for that money you'll get back.

It's nothing to do with feeling morally superior. I will donate as much as I can spare regardless, it's got nothing to do with my Government. If the Government is inundated with tax claims due to charity, they just make it up elsewhere. Why rob Peter to pay Paul?