How Connecticut Residents Can Help Japan

As the disaster in Japan continues to unfold, Connecticut residents have many ways to donate to the relief effort:

The American Red Cross is accepting donations that can be targeted directly to disaster relief efforts in Japan. Visit its website at www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 

The Google Crisis Response site has a form to donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society using Google Checkout at www.google.com/crisisresponse

Connecticut Options

Americares, a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization based in Stamford, is sending a shipment of basic hygiene supplies to Japan. The organization accepts donations to its international relief fund at www.americares.org 

Save the Children, a nonprofit organization based in Westport, has sent emergency response teams to Japan. Save the Children is accepting donations to its Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund at www.savethechildren.org

Local Options

Umi Sushi and Tapas in Blue Back Square in West Hartford will donate all its proceeds from Sunday, March 20, to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan. The restaurant will be open from 11:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Big Y supermarkets throughout Connecticut will be collecting donations for the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan, with collection points at cash registers through April 10.

Giver Beware

The state Department of Consumer Protection is warning against fraudulent charities that claim to be collecting funds for Japan. In a recent press release, Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein urged contributors to donate carefully. Among the recommendations:

• Donate to established charities with a proven track record, which you can check out at charitynavigator.org.
• When donating to any charity, specify that your donation is for Japan.
• Don't respond to email and telephone solicitations seeking donations.
•  Never respond to unsolicited emails seeking donations.  Delete the email and don't open attachments.
• Be careful to check the legitimacy of any charity soliciting donations via Twitter, Facebook or any other websites.
• Use the links at charitynavigator.org to reach the legitimate websites of charities and avoid fraudulent sites.