Tokyo Hackerspace Call for Help

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Paul Kerchen

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Mar 16, 2011, 2:00:14 PM3/16/11
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(via BoingBoing; sorry for those of you who read BB and feel this is redundant, but I'll risk your wrath)

Tokyo's hackerspace is planning to build solar LED lanterns for the disaster relief in Japan and needs donations of components and/or cash:


Once they've posted a list of stuff, I'll be donating what I can.  Sending money is probably the most efficient way to help, but sending a package of physical goods just seems more personal.  So, if you want to contribute to a box of parts to send to Japan, I'm willing to coordinate the shipment, etc.  Reply to this thread or off list if you're interested.

Paul

Dustin White

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Mar 16, 2011, 2:10:30 PM3/16/11
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I would like to help just let me know I would be happy to chip in for
parts to mail

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Cherish

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Mar 16, 2011, 2:49:46 PM3/16/11
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I'm in.

Russ

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Mar 16, 2011, 3:20:46 PM3/16/11
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i'm in!

On Mar 16, 2:10 pm, Dustin White <dustinbi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I would like to help just let me know I would be happy to chip in for
> parts to mail
>

Nicholas Britsky

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Mar 16, 2011, 6:09:05 PM3/16/11
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Nick Britsky
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i3 Detroit - nbri...@i3detroit.com
cell: 248.709.3822

Paul Kerchen

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Mar 16, 2011, 10:18:41 PM3/16/11
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Just got a reply from Akiba, one of their members. I'm thinking we
round up as much of these items as possible in time for a shipment on
Monday (their site should have recovered from being Boinged by then),
bearing in mind Akiba's proviso that we should send things that will be
useful two weeks from now; please use your crystal balls accordingly.
I'll set up a collection box at the space tomorrow (unless someone beats
me to it). Here's what Akiba wrote:

We'll be posting this when the hackerspace site is back up. These are the
things that are currently needed. But donations from abroad will probably
arrive in about 2 weeks so you'll need to think what can be useful two weeks
from now. You can send any donations to us and we can distribute it to the
organization drop areas locally. I trimmed many of the heavier things like
canned food because the shipping cost and shipping burden on carriers will
be high. Here's the list. The address of the hackerspace should be available
once the site is back up:

Ear plugs,
earphones,
eye masks,
baby bottles,
powdered baby formula,
energy bars,
portable water tanks (collapsible),
portable water filters,
paper cups,
lanterns,
first aid kit,
dust masks,
soaps,
towels,
blankets,
gloves,
flash lights,
slippers,
candles,
lighters,
pocket knives,
trash bags,
aspirin/ibuprofen,
pain killers,
sanitizing gel,
paper plates/cups/spoons/forks/chopsticks


Nate B

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Mar 17, 2011, 2:55:10 AM3/17/11
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On Mar 16, 2:00 pm, "Paul Kerchen" <p...@whirlingchair.com> wrote:
> Sending money is probably the most efficient way to help, but...

Yeah, I'm there. Also New Zealand is still reeling from their
earthquake scant weeks ago. I'm donating to the Red Cross, as I figure
they've got their act together and have a better sense than I do of
where the money will be most effective.

When it comes to sending parts that might be useful in building
lanterns, it's really a case of taking coals to newcastle. All those
things are manufactured in Asia now, and sending money will allow them
to be procured locally, faster and cheaper than we could effect by
sending anything physical. Since you're coordinating this, could you
let us know, perhaps after the site's back up, if there's a THS-
specific donation address that accepts Paypal, Amazon, etc?

That being said, I won't discourage anyone from doing what they feel
is helpful. And a tangible shipment, even if just a token or if it
turns out not super useful, can surely make an emotional statement
that money alone cannot. If there's a card, I'd be glad to count
myself among its signers.

-Nate-

Chevymac

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Mar 16, 2011, 10:34:28 PM3/16/11
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Just for clarification. Is it best to drop off cash that can get there now or are they running out of these items so they can't can't get them in country if money is sent.

Just attempting to understand which is more efficient.

Paul Kerchen

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Mar 17, 2011, 1:32:50 PM3/17/11
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Cash will be the most efficient and probably better sent directly to established relief organizations (Japanese Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, etc).  I'm thinking this effort is more of a good-will gesture than any kind of emergency relief.  As such, sending items such as face masks, gloves and first aid kits makes sense to me.

Paul
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