Artists such as Linkin Park, Enrique Iglesias, Slash, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Counting Crows have contributed new songs to the nonprofit group Music for Relief to support Save the Children's emergency response efforts in Japan.
The exclusive and growing catalog of songs can be downloaded at www.downloadtodonate.org for a donation of $10 or more. All contributions will go to Save the Children for the duration of the campaign, which runs through May 11.
“Children are always the most vulnerable in any disaster,” said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. “We are grateful this partnership with Music for Relief will help address the immediate and ongoing needs of children and families impacted by this tragedy.”
Save the Children has been working in Japan for 25 years. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Save the Children deployed emergency response teams to assess the needs of children and their families. In addition, the organization has set up multiple child-friendly spaces that service evacuation centers in Sendai City where displaced families are staying. Child-friendly spaces provide children with an opportunity to play with other children while freeing up parents to work on the recovery. More child-friendly spaces will be set up in the coming days.
“The people of Japan — especially the children — will need our help for many weeks and months to come,” said Mike Shinoda, the co-lead vocalist of the band Linkin Park, which founded Music for Relief. “We are proud to partner with Save the Children, which has decades of experience in helping children and families impacted by disaster.”
Music fans and people who want to help Japanese in need are encouraged to share the program through their own social networks to help spread the word.
“We ask that everyone donate, but if all you can afford is to spread the word, share Download to Donate on Facebook, Twitter, whatever, then that is great, too,” said Mike Shinoda. “It all helps.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy,” said Enrique Iglesias. “Now is the time for us to stick together and do everything we can to help our friends in need.”
Other artists featured include Staind, Plain White T’s, Angels & Airwaves, Hoobastank and many more.
In addition to the songs, Music for Relief is also raising funds for the Download to Donate: Tsunami Relief campaign for Japan through two T-shirt designs created by Shinoda, which are available at the Linkin Park merchandise store.
Donate now to the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund to support Save the Children’s relief efforts and responses to children’s ongoing and urgent needs.
