Socks for Japan...an Update!

Last week when I published that email from Makiko Oku, I intended to do one thing: Promote an effort that I saw as valiant and unique. While I knew I could donate money to the bigger organizations as a way of helping, I found this opportunity to be different. I did not see the effort as THE WAY to help Japan and the people living there affected by the terrible tragedies that ensued. No. I saw it as A WAY. One small way to show the people of Japan that we are thinking of them. Praying for them. We care. So I embraced it. 

I am thrilled to bring you an update to Makiko's Socks For Japan efforts!

Dear Friends,

Since our socks campaign was launched a week ago, we've received overwhelming support and donations from friends and their friends and family from across the US and abroad. I am profoundly touched and humbled by your love and compassion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I am writing primarily because I want to convey some good news that came from our friends in Japan two days ago. They delivered our first batch of 300 socks, as well as 1,000 more that was collected from around the world. The socks were brought to two evacuation shelters in Kita-Ibaragi city, which was devastated by the tsunami and is located right south of the Fukushima nuclear power plants. I was told that the people in the shelters were very pleased and humbled to receive new pairs of socks from friends far away. They were able to change their socks for the first time in over ten days during which they haven't showered or taken a bath since the earthquake and tsunami hit. I was also told that the people who received the socks carefully read the personal message attached to each pair and kept it fondly as if it would give them strength and good luck. I cannot tell you how moved I was to hear this. 

Since last Tuesday, we've collected over 500 pairs of socks and a lot of donations. Your contributions will allow us to send more socks to the people in the evacuation shelters in the northeast region of Japan. We will be sending our second batch by the end of March, and your socks and monetary donation are deeply appreciated. I was told that other evacuation shelters are in desperate need for socks, and we want to make another shipment as soon as possible. There are still thousands of people who are displaced and need socks to keep them warm. We're hoping to send the third batch in early April. 

I attached some pictures from inside the evacuation shelters when the socks were delivered, as well as images from the surrounding areas. Feel free to pass this email along to your friends, family, and colleagues. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me anytime. Thank you so much for your heartfelt support.

Praying for Japan,

Makiko

The photographs show what my words are seemingly incapable of conveying. The socks help. Maybe not entirely. But they do help.

To the person who left the anonymous comment on my blog last week discouraging this particular effort: It has made a difference.

I'd much rather help in a small way than not help at all.

Thank you, Makiko, for letting me publish these photographs and your words.

Socks for Japan.

Hello, my friends. I am about to get serious. I am not going to whine about my life (and its first world problems). I am not going to complain about people on the CTA. Nope. None of that. Today, I am going to ask that you do something for someone else. Some other people, really.

We are all aware of the tragedy that occurred in Japan last week. The loss of lives, property and general sense of safety over there is quite sobering. While we all have been inundated with requests to text "XXXXX" to a certain number to donate $10 to the Red Cross, I felt the need to do something a little bit different. The opportunity presented itself when received an email, forwarded from a very good friend of mine.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to ask for your support in sending a much-needed piece of clothing to the evacuees of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I will be collecting socks to send to Japan in the next couple of weeks and would be grateful if you could donate a pair or two or more.

After the earthquake and tsunami hit, people fled for their lives without adequate clothing. Many people got their feet wet from tsunami water. It still snows occasionally in the northeast region of Japan, and feet get cold in the evacuation shelters at night where there's no heat. In the wake of tragedy like this one, we know that socks do not provide primary support. But they can be a token of care and comfort from someone far away. I believe that a pair of socks from you could put a smile on someone's face.

Here is how you can help:

1) Donate NEW socks. We will take every size, color, and style socks, for women, men, children, and babies. Please do not send used or unclean socks -- NEW socks only. You could hand-deliver or send them to the address below:
   
              282 4th St #1
              Jersey City, NJ 07302

2) If you're unable to donate socks, we will accept monetary donations. All proceeds will be used to buy socks on your behalf. You could find me on PayPal (makikoku@gmail.com), or you could send a check to the address above. Please note "Socks For Japan" on your PayPal payment or check.

To make the socks more personal, we will attach a message to every pair of socks you donate. Send in a photo of yourself by email if you want it printed on the message.

Please see attached pictures from my beloved friends who worked tirelessly to send out our first batch of socks to Japan. It would be great if we could send another package by the end of March.

Feel free to pass this message along to your friends and family. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me anytime. Thank you so much for your support.

Praying for Japan,
Makiko

So in light of this brilliant venture to help out those in need of help in Japan, I implore you to go out, buy a pair of socks, and send to Makiko. Let's show those in Japan that we care and that they are in our thoughts in a more profound way that just "tweeting" or "blogging" that we care.