Here are some ways to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and others throughout the Pacific
- American Red Cross — U.S. mobile-phone users can text REDCROSS to 90999 to add $10 automatically to their phone bill. Or go to www.redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.
- International Medical Corps — Sending relief teams and supplies to the area. Call 800-481-4462, or visit http://internationalmedicalcorps.org.
- Save the Children — The relief effort providing food, medical care and education to children is accepting donations through mobile phones by texting JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10. People can also call 800-728-3843 during business hours or go to www.savethechildren.org/japanquake to donate online.
- Global Giving — The nonprofit that works through grass-roots efforts says Americans can text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10 through their phone bill. Or go to www.globalgiving.org.
- Interaction — The group is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations and lists many ways to help on its site, www.interaction.org.
- Network for Good — The aggregator of charities has a list of programs and ways to donate to relief efforts. Go to www.networkforgood.org.
- Bay Federal Credit Union — Financial donations will support priority needs in Japan — food, water, temporary shelter, medical services, and rescue efforts — through the endeavors the American Red Cross. A second fund has been set up to provide aid to local residents who were displaced when their boat residences were damaged by strong tsunami currents in the Santa Cruz Harbor. Donations of cash or checks made payable to either ‘BFCU for American Red Cross Japan Relief Fund' or ‘BFCU for American Red Cross Santa Cruz Relief Fund' can be made at any Bay Federal Credit Union branch, by mail addressed to Bay Federal Credit Union, Attention: Tsunami Relief, 3333 Clares St., Capitola, CA 95010 or online at www.bayfed.com.