City Hall Samurai Raises Funds for Japan
Japanese-American volunteer Darin Furukawa collects donations during an all-day fundraiser to support the Japanese earthquake relief efforts outside L.A. City Hall on Thursday. Funds will be given to the Japanese Red Cross. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Volunteers raised money for the Japanese Red Cross' earthquake and tsunami relief efforts outside City Hall on Thursday. And if the flashing "Tsunami Relief Effort" sign in front of the building wasn't enough to get passerbys to crack open their wallets, Darin Furukawa was there in full superhero Red Cross samurai garb. What exactly is Furukawa wearing? Check out the video below.
It's been one week since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake rocked Japan and generated a massive tsunami, devastating coastal areas on the northeastern part of the island. Thousands are confirmed dead and thousands more are missing. As the official death toll is expected to rise above 10,000, donations from the U.S. have paled in comparison to the outpouring of support seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and last year's Haiti Earthquake.
The Red Cross has committed an initial $10 million to relief efforts and local drives continue, with a Fundraiser for Japan drive-thru operating until 6 p.m. Friday in Santa Monica (1450 11th St.).
On the celeb front, Sandra Bullock announced today that she made a $1 million donation and Charlie Sheen's upcoming engagement at Radio City Hall, of which a portion of the proceeds benefits Japan relief, sold out in record time Friday morning.
LivingSocial is matching $5 donations to tsunami relief today.
Donate online at http://www.redcross.org, or by mailing donations to the Red Cross c/o: American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018. Those who mail donations to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan should specify that is where they wish their contribution to go. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.