From Glendora to Japan: How to Help in Relief Efforts in Aftermath of Tsunami

While Glendora is thousands of miles away from the epicenter of an 8.9 earthquake that rocked Japan and sent a devastating tsunami in its wake, there are dozens of international organizations ready to send relief to affected areas.

It’s difficult to watch the events unfold on television without feeling the need to help in some way.

Here are links to international groups who will assist in donations to relief efforts in Japan and other affected areas:

• American Red Cross is is organizing efforts to help. You can donate to the effort by visiting the Red Cross's donation website or by texting REDCROSS to 90999, which will in turn donate $10, according to a Huffington Post article.
• Save the Children - The world's leading independent organization for children, released a statement today that the organization is "mobilizing its global resources to respond to the needs of children and families affected by the earthquake and its aftermath, and an international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan." Those looking to donate to that effort can visit Save the Children's donation page.
• Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization dedicated to fight poverty and hunger around the world, and they are now sending aid to Japan. “It’s the fifth-largest earthquake ever recorded,” said Kary Kingsland, senior vice president of Global Initiatives for Convoy of Hope on the organization's Web site. “Now we are monitoring the tsunami waves that are headed for Hawaii and the West Coast and we will respond to the needs in Japan and in the United States as needed.”
• Oxfam America is an international relief organization aiming to bring awareness to and raise funds  for worldwide hunger and poverty.
• Shelter Box - According to its Web site, Shelter Box is is an international disaster relief charity committed to providing "emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide."
• World Vision - with regional offices in Monrovia, Calif., World Vision staff is on high alert following the tsunami. "Our offices in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are on alert and staff in coastal areas have been advised," said Geoff Shepherd, World Vision's humanitarian and emergency affairs director for the Asia-Pacific region.
• Global Giving has set up a fund-raising effort that has raised thousands of dollars so far and "will disburse funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami," according to the Global Giving donor website. Donors can choose to give a one-time or recurring donation of anywhere between $25 and $1,000.

 Google has also set up a Person Finder to help locate the missing in the aftermath.