Japan has been in our thoughts all week. If you’re thinking about helping, here are a few things you can do:
*Jewelry designer Alexis Bittar will donate 100 percent of all online sales to the Catholic Relief Services for Japan, starting on March 21 and ending on March 25. All proceeds from purchases made in an Alexis Bittar boutique on March 24 will be donated as well. Go to: Alexis Bittar
*Designer sales website Gilt Groupe is co-operating with Global Giving to support the relief efforts in Japan. If you are a member of Gilt, go to: Global Giving/Gilt City. If you are not a member, you can still donate here: Global Giving/Projects
*Lady Gaga has designed a “prayer bracelet” for Japan, which can be ordered from her online store. The wristband is priced at five Dollars, but can make additional donations, which will go to an unspecified charity involved in the relief efforts. Go to: Lady Gaga/Shop
*Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Theory will be setting up donation boxes in their stores worldwide. Go to: Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Theory
*You can make a direct donation to the American Red Cross via Apple iTunes. Go to: Apple iTunes
*Shelterbox is an international charity that gets “survival boxes” to people in need. For the German and all other websites go to: Shelterbox
6 Comments
jen
Or, for something totally refreshing, you could just donate directly instead of buying something that supposedly should make you feel good about donating, while you’re basically just buying stuff. Again.
marlene
I think you’ll find that we posted a couple of links to websites where can do exactly that: just give. And I personally don’t have a problem with anyone making a donation by shopping. Because, really, when do you ever buy something not to feel better?
Julia
I see it like Jen: to me direct donating makes much more sense instead of buying something you don’t really need… So better donate the whole amount which you’d pay for another glittery thing.
marlene
Again, I agree. But just in case you were going to buy yourself a pair of glittery earrings next week anway, now you know that all of that money will be going to a good cause. If you’re doing it to buy yourself peace of mind, so be it. I’m not going to question anyone’s motives for making a donation. Having said that: I will not be buying that Lady Gaga bracelet myself.
Julia
Haha, good. That’s the worst thing in your list, and somehow gaga.
Roey
last word on the subject: when Schumacher donates 10% of the purchases on their webshop, one can’t avoid the feeling, that more that it would help the Japanese red cross, it would help their brand image.