"Operation Backpack" for Tsunami relief - please support a Kids-Helping-Kids project by girl scouts and boy scouts of Camp Zama in Japan

When the earthquake and tsunami struck on March 11, my daughter asked if we have any relatives affected since we have extended family connections and some friends there.  Our family visited Japan not too long ago, so my children have real memories of bullet trains, Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, and Lake Hakone.  I said, "No, we don't personally know anyone affected, but we sure could help in some concrete ways."  I searched the websites on tsunami relief, and found a "kids-helping-kids" Operation Backpack relief effort organized by the girl scouts and boy scouts (and Venture Scouts) of Camp Zama not far from Tokyo.  Read more about what they have done by following the links below:

We plan to send to Camp Zama's girl scout troop the money we raised specifically for Operation Backpack within approximately two weeks so that the Camp Zama girl scout troop could buy what they need but which have not been donated to put into the backpacks they already have.  Here is what we are telling our friends:

While selling our remaining stocks of girl scout cookies, we are also fundraising for a kids-helping-kids project called OPERATION BACKPACKS for the children still in shelters in Sendai and nearby coastal areas, the area most affected by both the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  These age-appropriate backpacks with comfort items and necessities are packed at Camp Zama not far from Tokyo and delivered directly to children at Sendai's and other coastal cities' shelters.

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/operation-backpacks-delivers-supplies-toys-to-kids-in-disaster-zone-1.140447

http://picasaweb.google.com/100177996620476619730/Backpacks?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2hkqH9pIqH7QE#

There are two weeks left for this project, and at this point in time from Los Angeles, it is best for us to collect cash and we will send it to them in the form of an international money order or by wire transfer.

http://www.zamagirlscouts.org/operation-backpacks.html  (for a list of items they pack into the backpacks and origami project)

http://www.facebook.com/backpacksforchildrenofjapan
http://www.zamagirlscouts.org/operation-backpacks.html

If you are or if you know of anyone interested in sending us a check for Operation Backpack, you can send it to me payable to "Cub Scouts Pack 400" with "Japan" on the memo line.  The cub scouts in my son's pack will be helping to raise funds too.  Both cub scouts and girls scouts at Camp Zama are working together in this effort.  Please email me at familyfunlearning@gmail.com for address to mail check to.


Thanks for your support,

GCP