Knitters and others for Japan

I am saddened with each day's headlines regarding the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. I take heart that so many are trying to aid in the recovery.  A couple of posts ago I stated that I would write about some of the innovative textiles that I've seen recently.  Instead I will present ways that some individuals and organizations are contributing to relief efforts.  This list is not exhaustive.

• My last post was on Mercedes T. Clark's raffle.  All raffle donations go to AmeriCares relief effort in Japan.  Raffle deadline is April 2.
• Olga Buraya-Kefelian, a knitwear designer, author and teacher, currently living in Japan is donating 85% from sales of her glorious knitting patterns to relief efforts. I bought the beautiful Hari pattern, though I'm afraid it's probably too difficult for my meager hand knitting skills!
• Fickle Knitter Design is donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of the beautiful Two Rivers Shawl pattern to Doctors without Borders for their relief efforts.

Fickle Knitter Design's Two Rivers Shawl

• Who doesn't love Knitting Fever yarns? Follow these instructions and your donations to the American Red Cross, earmarked for the Japan earthquake relief fund, will be matched dollar for dollar up to the first $50,000 received by Knitting Fever. This and other fund raising efforts by knitters can be found in this Knitty Blog post.
• On March 29 ISE Cultural Foundation will hold an art auction. Artists will donate their artworks and exhibit  at ISE Cultural Foundation Front Space Gallery on Tuesday, March 29.  (One of my knitted bamboo scarves will be included.)  The contributed artwork will be auctioned off that evening. One hundred percent of all sales, matched dollar for dollar by ISE, will be contributed to non-profit organizations in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

As detailed in this article from The Oregonian, simply knitting a blanket and sending it to Japan from afar is not the best way to make a difference. Please support the projects of those mentioned above.  Or make a direct contribution through established organizations such as AmeriCares, Doctors without Borders, and the American Red Cross.