Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Disaster Relief Drive - Japan

Dear Friends and Family,

You are all probably very aware of the terrible tsunami and on-going earthquakes that have tormented the beautiful people and country of Japan (you may be especially concerned if you still have friends and family there). They continue to experience aftershocks (followed by more tsunami warnings), as well as a recent volcanic explosion (kyushu island) - and now snow.

At this time, they are in dire need of aid. Many news articles have been posted expressing the serious need for items. The US military bases in Japan are trying to do all they can to gather and distribute aid to the Japanese people.

I have reached out to those bases, and have compiled a list of items needed (as well as mailing addresses, which are to follow below).

If it is possible, please try to separate the boxes by item (one box for gloves, one box for hats, one box for socks, one box for wipes, etc). I realize this may not be do-able for everyone. If you want to send all the items you have (some mittens, some wipes, some batteries) in one box, then by all means - do it! Having to sort through them to distribute them is better than not having them at all. Please try to send gently used or new items.

If you want to donate money, please go to the Red Cross or the humanitarian group of your choice. Please do not send checks to these addresses.

The items needed are:

- Flashlights (with the corresponding batteries)
- Back up batteries
- AA batteries
- Warm weather clothes (all sizes, baby - adult) including hats, gloves, sweaters, socks, sweat pants, etc
- diapers
- baby formula
- wipes
- blankets
- non perishable food items
- masks (flu face masks / surgical masks)
- small camping supplies
- iodine water purification tablets
- small first aid kits
- tylenol/advil
- hand/foot warmers (such as the hot hands brand)
- feminine hygiene products
- oral hygiene products
- sleeping bags
- coats
- umbrellas
- ponchos
- small tissues packages
- toilet paper

If you can think off additional items, they need them.

Please send medium - large boxes, and bulk shipments to

Public Affairs
PSC 477 Box 9
FPO, AP 96306

Please send small - medium, individual shipments (1 or 2 small/medium boxes) to

Stephanie Dolby
Tsunami Relief Drive YAB
PSC 78 Box 2627
APO, AP 96326

Thank you so much for your donation,

Love

Nikki

4 comments:

Heidi L Barber said...

Nikki, thank you so much for doing the research for this. I wanted to find a way to help and you've provided a very convenient solution.

Ricky said...

Nikki,

Just want to ensure that the PAO office is prepared to receive boxes. I am in Korea and starting a drive that should end up with many boxes which we will send through the APO system.

Ricky said...

Look forward to your response, thanks.

Nikki said...

Ricky! That would be great if I can get your address, one base in Japan has shut down it's postal system, and I am afraid the other two will follow (but that has not been announced yet).

If you send me your address (here or to my email: nikki.m.hansen@gmail.com) I will pass it along!