Santa Monica Red Cross to Stage Fundraiser for Japan Relief

The will stage a fundraiser for tsunami and earthquake disaster relief in Japan on Friday. From 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., volunteers will collect donations in the parking lot at the Santa Monica Chapter's headquarters, which is located at 1150 11th St., between Broadway and Santa Monica.

The chapter is also accepting checks and cash, which can be dropped off at the headquarters Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Checks should be made out to "American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.”

Also, as mentioned in published earlier Wednesday morning, those who want to contribute to the Red Cross' relief efforts can make a $10 donation by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.

Donations made to the American Red Cross will support their efforts in tandem with the Japanese Red Cross (JRC), both of which are members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The organizations also teamed together following the Kobe earthquake in 1995, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

JRC, a disaster-relief organization with more than 2 million volunteers, is providing victims with relief items, hot meals and medical transportation. The organization has deployed nearly 100 medical teams consisting of more than 700 people each. The organization is also helping to clear debris left in the wake of the 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami.