How Your Groupon Could Benefit the Japan Red Cross

There are an abundance of worthy charities and good causes in the world today and this makes it increasingly difficult to consider which ones to donate to. Many people often make a decision as a result of something which has happened to a friend or loved one. Another consideration is whether the organisation they choose is using the donations in the most effective way possible.

There is no doubt that the earthquake which hit the coast of Japan on Friday 11th March 2011 has created huge chaos and destruction to thousands of lives. The aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis has, according to Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan, caused Japan to experience its greatest hardships since World War II.

So in what ways can people who have witnessed this catastrophe from around the world do to provide aid and relief to this crisis?

Groupon through UK City Deals

Recently, if you made a donation to Red Cross for the Japan disaster relief through Groupon, they matched and donated that same amount. Although this offer no longer exists, UK City Deals have now pledged to donate all commissions to Japan Red Cross when customers purchase Groupon or KGB Deals through their website or newsletter. This may not sound like much but if enough people  were to purchase their deals through UK City Deals, it could very possibly raise enough to significantly help a handful of those lives affected by the disaster.

You can visit or join UK City Deals at:

http://www.ukcitydeals.com

Donate

Thus far, generous donations have been made allowing the Red Cross to treat the injured, provide psychological support and distribute relief items to where they are needed most. Search and rescue is still a priority as thousands of people remain missing. Sir Nick Young, British Red Cross chief executive, said: "Our supporters have responded to this situation with huge generosity and solidarity in their donations to the Japan Tsunami Appeal. We are extremely grateful for and humbled by their support. Thank you to everyone who has given.

"The costs of the relief effort, and of rebuilding the homes and lives of those affected, will be immense.  Donations to the British Red Cross will be used towards helping the Japanese people recover from this devastating natural disaster over the coming months and years."

You can donate at:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now?single=1

Volunteer

Red Cross are looking for volunteers. There are an endless number of possibilities for how one might serve this organisation. Disaster volunteers work with other agencies to provide help to disaster victims – and other disaster responders. They help find temporary shelter and necessities for those displaced by all sorts of natural and man-made disasters. Although volunteers may not necessarily be dispatched to Japan to directly help in cleaning up and rebuilding, volunteering in other areas will indirectly help. The act of volunteering in any other area will mean that area will be dependent on a little less money. This money will therefore go to where it is needed most urgently and this for the foreseeable future is Japan.

You can volunteer at:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Volunteer