Now all that out of my system - my wife and daughters and I have been asking the same questions on how we could help. Her family isn’t impacted directly (I don’t consider electrical outages and semi-empty stores direct in this instance), but we want to assist.
A number of the broadcasts have had a shortlist of items that were being specifically asked for by those impacted. Some practical for us and some not so much: gasoline, water, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, diapers, wet wipes, hand and body towels, blankets. (Not thinking the gas would be accepted by the post office, in any case shipping liquids is always expensive.) We thought about gathering some of the other items to send to her sister, but for some reason they still aren’t accepting those type of donations -
I think, and it’s a guess, that it’s because they just haven’t been able to get but a few emergency vechicles into the distressed areas due to the number of bridges and tunnels impacted in those ares. The outlying areas are starting to see some trucks, but those people seem to be in shelter buildings. Some of the others seem to still be sitting around fires in the worst impacted areas based on some of the aerial shots. I’m expecting that to improve shortly, but....
So we’ve decided to go the money route immediately and then followup with clothing and comfort items thereafter to the shelter areas that are already being reserved/setup away from the impacted area. Something like chocolates or dried squid (I know it doesn’t sound quite right, but after 6 months with only bare necessities and plain rice/bread; I think they would like a snack as a change of pace if given from the heart - and there dried squid is a snack - and besides it tastes good - at least in certain flavors...)
My understanding is that the government has already reserved whole hotels as far away as Osaka to house the families as it will be quite some time before any houses will be able to be rebuilt. The accents and foods will be different from what they grew up with and many won’t know just how long before they can go back....so anyway that’s what we’re thinking....other freepers thoughts?
Oh and the girls got the school Beta Club to start a penny war between classes.
Oh and the girls got the school Beta Club to start a penny war between classes and contribute the $ for the cause. Not sure which route they are sending it I should check into that.