I’m still here; I’m trying to survive the hectic pace of urban living.  I thought that I’d start posting about how the Florian Hat Pattern disaster relief aid has been doing, so here goes…a total of 6 people have purchased Florian, but as I said in my previous post– every little thing counts.  In fact, I am amending the previous and forthcoming donations from 50% of the proceeds TO 100%.  A million thanks to those who participated and who will participate in this charity.  There are only 9 more days remaining until the last day of the Florian Hat Pattern in Helping Japan.  I will, however, keep the link to the American Red Cross in the side bar available for those who are still interested in helping.

Since that fateful day of March 11, 2011, as many as 25,000 people were killed and more than 150,000 are left homeless, as reported by CBS News.  While most of these ones are expected to move back into their homes, 47,000 displaced by the Chernobyl-level nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant.  The photo below

Source

shows the Unit 4 damaged reactor building of the nuclear power plant.  Various produce, dairy products and seafood (from other than coastal Fukushima) have tested either not detected or were below the regulation radiation values set by the Japanese authorities.  One good news is that there has been decreasing levels of radioactivity since April 5 found in seawater as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.  All in all in light of these reports, Japan will continue to need aid from the helping hands and giving hearts.

On March 11, 2011, the people of Honshu, Japan were going about their day, toiling in the fields and casting their nets in the ocean. At 2:46 pm, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of their island.  While many survived the 5-minute temblor, a tsunami hit them later only to claim 7,000 lives and resulted to more than 10,000 missing.  The New York Times featured satellite photos of the stark landscape in the aftermath of the disaster.  As small as this island may seem when compared to the many land masses on the planet, CBS reports that the strength that the earthquake of Honshu unleashed, accelerated the Earth’s spin and shortened the 24-hour day by 1.8 microseconds, according to NASA and moved Japan by 8 feet (2.4 m), according to USGS.  Then there’s the inevitable path leading to a nuclear catastrophe which day by day is getting more certain.

This disaster of epic proportions has made it difficult for the international community to ignore.  Any help, regardless of how little, can make a difference to the tragedy-stricken people and cannot be underestimated.  For this reason, Little Sweet Knittings Designs, wish to donate 50% of proceeds from the sale of Florian to the American Red Cross until April 30, 2011.  The choice of charities fell on the ARC for its global humanitarian involvement, including its aid in this disaster.  If you wish to donate to the ARC in lieu of purchasing Florian,  please click on this link which will take you to their secure website.  Either way, help will reach those in urgent need.