Relief efforts for half a world away

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The heart of Texas is extending whatever help it can to Japan from half a world away.

Fueled by a partnership between the Red Cross , SXSW and a group of Interactive Festival -goers who formed SXSW Cares, the fundraiser will help those affected by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The Texas Asian Foundation (TAF) , along with Tokyo Electron and the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, held a fundraising event for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami at a private home in West Ausin Wednesday night.

"We have thousands of employees working that region. And many of them are actually living in shelters because of a lack of water and electricity," said Jim Yatsu.

Yatsu works for Tokyo Electron. The U.S. headquarters is based in Austin. The main headquarters is in Japan. Yatsu hoped to raise about $30 thousand in funds for relief efforts.

"And the plan is that I fly to Japan next week to give the donations directly to the affected regions," he said.

Outside, a Korean band called 'Anaya,' in for South by Southwest, was playing to entertain the crowd.

"We are very happy to help Japan. Because we are neighbor country," said Misun Kim.

 

The Texas Asian Foundation also has a place to donate online, www.txasianchamber.org .

"These organizations acted quickly to help the people of Japan," said Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who announced the fundraiser Thursday. "Since SXSW is an international festival, and Austin is known as a caring community, our partnership came together very easily."

The Red Cross will staff a fundraising tent on the east side of Auditorium Shores during the SXSW free concerts on Friday and Saturday night. Concert-goers will be able to make their cash or check donations there.

How to donate

• Checks should have "Earthquake and Tsunami Relief" written in the memo section
• Credit card donations should be made at www.sxswcares.org
• A $10 donation can be made by texting "Red Cross" to 90999

And if people have different ways to help, they can create their own fundraising Web page at SXSW Cares.

"This is what Austin and SXSW is all about," said Leffingwell. "Austin is a leading global community. Now, we can use our energy and innovation to help those in need in Japan."

People attending the SXSW Interactive Festival formed SXSW Cares on Friday in the Samsung Bloggers Lounge at the Austin Convention Center. SXSW Cares quickly put together a grassroots effort and has already raised nearly $70,000.

A flashlight vigil at Auditorium Shores is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. and is open to the public. People who show up are encouraged to bring a flashlight and walk the 1.5 mile trek from South First Street to the Pfluger Bridge loop.

So far the American Red Cross has accepted about $47 million dollars nationwide for the Japan relief efforts. That includes one million dollars donated from actress and Austin resident Sandra Bullock. Ten million dollars has already been sent to Japan for immediate use.

And while donations are still coming in, the amount received so far doesn't compare to the amount received in total for relief efforts after the Haiti earthquake last year. The total in donations to the American Red Cross for those efforts was about $479 million.