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Ways Girl Scouts can be Disaster-Prepared

Make Origami Cranes to Send to Japan

Disaster Relief Agencies Helping in Japan and Del Norte County in Northern California

Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunamis

March 24, 2011

It has been two weeks since the devastating Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunamis.  GSUSA has announced:

• Girl Scouts and troops may raise funds directly for nonprofits that are providing disaster relief related to the earthquake and tsunamis. Click here to learn how.
• GSUSA has started a fund for Girl Scouts of Japan; however, it does not yet have information on what the specific needs are, and we think GSUSA will hold off on widely promoting this effort until the needs are known. We will, of course, share information as we have it. Click here for a list of agencies that are helping those affected.
• GSUSA has asked that Girl Scout troops send origami cranes to our Girl Scouts Overseas organization. Click here for instructions and mailing information.    

Last week, Girl Scout council CEOs and GSUSA senior staff met outside Chicago for three days. The meeting began with a report from the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA in Japan, Barbara Hill.  Barbara and her staff are all okay, but the suffering and trauma is beyond anything she could possibly imagine.  Barbara has only lived in Japan for six months, but when she returned home after the earthquake, her Japanese neighbors were there with tea, rice cakes, comfort and companionship.  When asked how people could help, she suggested that in the short term, they support on the ground relief efforts and mentioned the Red Cross, which has been very active.  When asked if she plans to return to Japan, Barbara's answer was "yes, the girls need Girl Scouting now more than ever."

We also want to keep in our thoughts and prayers Crescent City, in the northern-most part of our council, which suffered significant damage to its harbor and fishing boats.  The Crescent City Service Unit leader reports that, so far, we are not aware of any Girl Scout families that have been directly impacted by the tsunami, but, of course, the community is heartbroken by the damage to the harbor and fishing fleet.  Del Norte County Rotary Clubs have started a fund to provide support and assistance to Del Norte County fishermen devastated by the tsunami. Individuals and organizations wanting to make contributions may make donations to: the Redwood Regional Rotary Relief Super Fund, c/o The Humboldt Area Foundation, P. O. Box 99, Bayside, CA 95524, www.hafoundation.org. Crescent City Girl Scouts also are developing a plan to raise funds. We will provide information, as we have it, about ways Girl Scouts can help.

March 16, 2011

Girl Scouts Can Fundraise Directly for Japan Disaster Relief

Sent on behalf of Kathy Cloninger, National CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA:

 

We are devastated by the catastrophe in Japan and, on a personal level, are deeply concerned about our sisters there, the Girl Scouts of Japan.  USA Girl Scouts Overseas has served American military and civilian families in Japan for many years, and has extremely close ties with Girl Scouts of Japan. In fact, many of our overseas troops and Girl Scouts of Japan are sister troops.   

 

We have received many calls from Girl Scouts around the country asking how to help and are happy to report that the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations has been temporarily suspended.  

 

To contribute to earthquake and tsunami relief efforts, you can make an online donation to the newly established Girl Scouts of Japan Relief Efforts.  At times like these, Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and will continue to do everything we can to help our sister Girls Scouts of Japan in the weeks and months ahead.

 

Make checks payable to Girl Scouts of the USA:

Girl Scouts of the USA-Fund Development

P.O. Box 5046

New York, NY  10087-5046

Memo: Girl Scouts of Japan relief efforts 

 

Make Origami Cranes to Send to Japan

 

Girls are also encouraged to send expressions of friendship to their sister Girl Scouts in Japan by making origami cranes (Sadako). For instructions, see YouTube videos. The Girl Scouts of Japan made and mailed thousands of these cranes to the United States as an expression of peace and friendship after the September 11th tragedy.

 

Mail cranes to:

USAGSO - West Pacific

HQ USARJ/9th TSC

Unit 45005

APO, AP 96343-5005

 

Click here for a list of other agencies that are collecting funds to provide disaster relief in Japan.

March 15, 2011

We have heard that Girl Scouts of the USA will allow Girl Scouts to directly raise funds to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami, and we will send an update to our members when that happens with complete information on how to do that.

March 11, 2011

We are deeply saddened by today’s news about the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunamis, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected across the globe, including in some of our own coastal communities, by this terrible tragedy.

In times like these, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across the world come together to take action to help those in need, and many of you have already asked how you can help those affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunamis.  Here are some ideas.

How to Help Those Affected

Girl Scout troops can always donate some of their funds to disaster relief, as long as it is a decision made by the girls. At this point, Girl Scouts are not allowed to directly raise funds for disaster relief for the Japanese earthquake and tsunamis.  Girl Scouts of the USA suspended that policy in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, but that decision can only be made by Girl Scouts of the USA. We will keep you informed if there is any change regarding the direct fundraising policy.

For now, Girl Scout troops interested in helping should work through local community groups to assist in relief efforts. Please remember that donated dollars always help more than donated items, as the logistics of mailing and distributing these items are not practical after a disaster strikes. Charity Watch recommends that rather than attempting to donate clothing or other supplies, people can have a garage sale and then turn their used goods into cash that can be sent to a charity which will use the funds wisely. Below is a list of agencies that are accepting financial donations to help those affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunamis.

The Red Cross: Red Cross is accepting donations either online or via text message. Simply text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.

Shelterbox: Shelterbox provides assistance to afflicted countries by delivering large utility boxes that contain a shelter and other emergency relief tools. To donate online, simply go to your country's site and click DONATE.

International Medical Corps: To donate to this global non-profit's Emergency Response Efforts fund, simply go to their site.

Doctors Without Borders: You can visit their website and donate online or by phone.

Del Norte County Rotary Clubs (assisting Northern California fishermen in the Crescent City area): The Rotary Clubs have started a fund to provide support and assistance to Del Norte County fishermen devastated by the tsunami. Individuals and organizations wanting to make contributions may make donations to: the Redwood Regional Rotary Relief Super Fund, c/o The Humboldt Area Foundation, P. O. Box 99, Bayside, CA 95524, www.hafoundation.org.

Help Children with their Fears, Be Disaster-Prepared

The tsunami warnings for Northern California have caused many people in coastal areas to be on alert or be evacuated, and we know that this type of activity and the images of disasters can be especially frightening for children. We urge our members to talk with youth to help them process their feelings and feel better prepared.

One of the best ways to help children with disaster-related fears is to engage them in disaster preparedness. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, some Girl Scouts NorCal troops learned how to better prepare themselves and their families for emergency situations while earning the Emergency Preparedness Patch offered through the Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital. Developed in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this program helps Girl Scouts:

• DISCOVER information to prepare them for emergency situations;
• CONNECT to their communities, both locally and nationally, as they identify agencies that work to protect their communities; and
• TAKE ACTION by identifying community needs and supporting public safety and emergency preparedness in their communities.

You can find information about the Girl Scout Emergency Preparedness Patch by clicking here, and a downloadable preparedness activity book is available online here.

Also, girls 11-17 can complete the Emergency Preparedness Interest Project. Click here for details. The award for this IP is available in GSNorCal council stores or online here.