BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 04:09 PM

Paypal (at ebay) is asking for a dollar donation to the Red Cross to be added to purchase price (not every purchase, I think they have a random selection system). I don't think they hold anything for costs.

Other chain stores solicit donations at checkout counters, I have never heard of big fees being subtracted.

I am sure Safeway passes on donations without cost to the charity- Safeway stores here sometimes help local charities with that added dollar.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 11:52 AM

Just thought.
All those of you who so avidly march about and sing for "Hiroshima Day". I hope you put your money where your mouth is and donate generously to the relief fund of your choice.

This wasn't meant to antagonise just a gentle prick ( and I've been called worse)

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 02:16 AM

Bit early for Christmas songs this time of year, isn't it Al?

:-P

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 04:24 PM

I always used to do a couple of gigs on Christmas Day and donate the fee to the old peoples homes I was playing in. That was mainly cos I can't stand Christmas dinner (give me a pizza any time!) and i hate Christmas television.

I'm retired now - do it doesn't really count. Still, if it helps the Japanese.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: robomatic
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 04:15 PM

Donuel your good intentions collide with your trend to define truth as you go along. In particular in your first post you chose to lightly touch on something I'm sure you have no knowledge of in fact.

Unfortunately this is a habit of yours of longstanding.

One of the internet cafes I habituate is ensconced in a Safeway. They are soliciting funds under the auspices of the Safeway Foundation which has pledged $100,000 and are matching employee contributions and urging their customers to contribute.

There is hard data available on these organizations which detail the percentages of funds which are distributed to those in need versus the amounts dissipated due to overhead costs.

I urge you to take the trouble to find these out before you go using proper names to vilify, or better yet, retract those proper names.

It is real easy to go popping off with your protection of the innocent act but I think it continues to put big voids in your credibility. I made my mind up some time ago, but there are others you might still be able to hoodwink.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 04:10 PM

Alan, the only guide is how the individual responds. It is difficult asking someone to do something for free that they rely on to make a living. This is doubly true in the folk world where making a living is harder than in most professions.
I have never had a nasty response but I always preface any request with the simple phrase" I really don't mind if you say no, but.."

So ask away and accept a refusal with a smile. If they really are apologetic you could always ask for a CD for the raffle!

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 10:16 AM

I'm supposed to be doing a charity gig for Japan in Weymouth. at the end of the month. hopefully me and some other people, Saturday the 30th - that's all I know.

I've never worked out the do's and don'ts of charity gigs. Some people do them, and some don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 09:03 AM

Thank you for your generosity, Andy. The group has existed for less than 24 hours, and we've already raised £335. I am amazed and very grateful.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 07:41 AM

Request accepted. Paypal sorted. Now to spread the word.
Reading messages from the school made this an even more personal thing.
These are real people with real families we are talking about here.
Ruth's way of helping is such a good way of getting aid directly where it is needed.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 05:16 AM

Thanks, Miskin Man. Have PMed you and sent you a Facebook friend request.

Cheers,

Joan

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: LadyJean
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 11:02 PM

I was shopping in Pittsburgh's famous Strip District today. There were Japanese people collecting cash for relief. They bowed very low when you donated. (Of course I did.) I just hope I was donating to earthquake survivors not con artists.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 08:55 PM

Ok Ruth I'm game. How do I find you on Face book? I've looked at half a dozen so far and you're still hiding.
Please PM me.
(I'll make it worth your while as they say.)

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 05:58 PM

The school is at the heart of the community. They have 170 evacuees from the radiation exclusion zone in the school at present, plus there are local families made homeless etc. Not to mention local cash machines which have simply run out, so people wanting to buy food and supplies can't. The head of the school can decide whether the money can best be used locally, or alternatively which agencies will be able to use it best. I would rather see the money deployed however they think best than lose half of it to charity administration costs before it even reaches them.

We've just reached £200.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 03:13 PM

How are Japanese agencies going to buy supplies and get them where needed? There seem to be numerous logistical barriers as well as others. I would find out who is actually right now able to get stuff to a destination. I am not saying they can not do this but I would want to know how they are able to. This is life and death for many people right now so logistics are of prime importance. Once life and death emergencies are sorted out (and when people are dying I would not have others on the beach looking for bodies since risk of disease is not too high yet) then others could take over.   mg

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 02:12 PM

Mercy Corps a good choice. They are not too high on administrtive expenses.

I think the Red Cross administration is top-heavy, and 50% or more goes to administrative expenses. This is a problem with many large charities.

Text "japan" to 80888 to donate $10 to Salvation Army efforts. Low administrative expenses.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 01:38 PM

£80 and counting...

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 01:24 PM

Just thought I'd let you know...posting that message here on Mudcat got me thinking that networks are pretty important at times like this...so I set up a fundraising page for facebook friends and have basically had a whip-round. That was half an hour ago, and my lovely friends have already donated £45 via PayPal. Hopefully it will continue to rise, and we can start sending money directly to our contacts in Fukushima after the weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 01:20 PM

I give on an ongoing basis to Mercy Corps..probably not perfect..but it has helicopters dropping things down to shelters etc. right now. They seem to know how to handle things...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 11:35 AM

I'm sure one reason that donations are less than one might expect is that donors are overwhelmed by this on-going disaster. There seems to be no clear end-point. In other worldwide disasters, the damage is over in a short time, and one gets an assessment of the extent of the damage to life and property. In Japan, many forces are still in play.

When I catch my breath, I certainly will donate to some organization based in Japan. At this point I wouldn't know which one but am open to suggestions.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 11:28 AM

My daughter's school has an 18-year exchange relationship with Minami High School in Fukushima. She and her friends were in Fukushima just 5 months ago, and the Japanese girls came and stayed with us last July. It was a wonderful experience for all of them and lasting friendships were made.

Some of the English girls (including my daughter) have heard from their exchange partners. A few have not, which is very worrying. There are currently no lessons taking place at the school, and the gym has been turned into a shelter for 170 refugees from the radiation evacuation zone.

Our school in Grantham has taken the decision that all of its fundraising will be sent directly to the school in Fukushima, so that the teachers and staff can decide how best to spend it in their community, without any of the money being absorbed into charity administration.

If anyone would like to join in with these efforts, feel free to PM me.

Subject: RE: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 10:18 AM

33 months should be 3 months

I can not see well enough to proofread right now, sorry.

Subject: BS: Donating to Japan do's and dont's
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 10:11 AM

So far Japan has seen about 9% of the donations as the 9-11 event generated.

A small percent ever reaches the intended needy as in the case of Haiti which has seen lest than half of what was ever pldeged or given.

THe big don't is to give to a new charity based outside Japan.

New on scene are text message charities, This is when a "phone" company will take what you pledge from your next bill and pass it to a charity some tine within 33 months to a year later. Naturally they will put the charity money in a seperate account to build interest and skim it off for themselves before passing on the principle, when ever they see fit.

Red Cross within Japan is a better option than the US branch.

Telephone drives, dubious.or even criminal

Sadly most charities like the ones you see at the grocery store that ask for a dollar as part of your purchase, keep for salaries and handling charges. It makes foar more mondy for Safeway and the charity ceo than for victims.

If you have advice or best choices let us know.