How to help in Japan (with the side benefit of a cool poster)

How-to Tuesday is a weekly web event hosted by my terrific (real life) friend Christie. Today I could also tell you how to entertain a feverish 12-year-old boy (involves sprite, sun chips, and the trippy movie 2001 Space Odyssey), how to embrace the green spinach smoothie (I'm a convert! who knew?), and how to make it through the day (=nap). Maybe next week. For now I'm on the serious side:

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I'm sure you've been just as heartsick as I have thinking about the catastrophe in Japan last weekend. It's hard to get my mind around the devastation and what it means in the lives of so many individuals, children, and families.

This picture this morning, of an infant discovered in the rubble, took my breath away:

I find myself wondering how best to help. Here's one small way: W+K Studio has designed this beautiful Red Cross+Japan flag poster and are donating all proceeds to Japan relief:

They're asking for a minimum of $25 but you can donate more. Here's what they say about it:

We designed this print to raise relief funds for the devastating earthquake and subsequent massive tsunami that struck Japan March 11, 2011. We are asking a donation of at least $25 for a print, with 100% of the profits going to the relief effort. We will of course accept and pass along a donation of any amount. Our W+K Tokyo office is currently deciding which NPO the funds will be going to. 

Or if you have no need for a poster, there are, I'm sure you know, fantastic and trusted organizations on the ground in Japan including Save the Children, The Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF. Here's a quick rundown of some others.

p.s. Here's a first-hand look at what it's like in Misawa (and some great insights about what to do and not do in an emergency) by Emily, a Mormon blogging mom living in Japan. And some interviews and accounts by a local young college grad living in Japan as a coordinator for Concord's sister relationship with Nanae.

Sunshine

 

You are My Sunshine is a special anthem of love in our family.

G's Grandpa Lee has sung it to generations of Lee family babies (and grown ups, too). Probably we're not alone there. 

It's a good song.

Maybe that's why this did such a great job of warming the cockles of our snow-day, stuck inside hearts:

Oh my goodness. 

I can see why programs like Roots of Empathy have come up with the innovative idea of inviting babies and their mothers in the classroom to help prevent/reduce bullying and encourage empathy and kindness. Just softens the heart right up. 

p.s. I love studying babies but, help me Rhonda, sometimes it makes my uterus ache a little.

For the booklovers on your list

A few things too good not to share...

Out of Print Clothing has produced some fabulous tshirts featuring their interpretations of classic book covers.  I gave Maddy the Pride and Prejudice one for her birthday and she loved it.  Wouldn't your bookgroup best friend or English major niece love one?

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Check out this lovely wreath made from the pages of books! I just ordered one for our front room/library and I couldn't resist sharing it in case someone else loves it as much as I do. This one will probably stay up on our walls all year long.

 

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Who wouldn't love receiving one of these gorgeous, cloth-bound Penguin classics with covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith? It might be just the thing for helping someone start a collection. Maybe one a year for ten years?

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Or for the journal/book writer on your list, this set of three blank books provides an excellent canvas. This was under the tree for Maddy last year and she's had a lovely time filling each book with its own content, chapter style.

 

Speaking of books, look at this marvelous idea for a children's book advent calendar--you can use holiday books you already have, library books, whatever you'd like. What a charming idea!  I think even my teens and tweens would love to revisit one book from their childhood Christmases every night of December. 

 

image via Sarah Jane Studios