Image via marlasinger333 on Flickr.com
This post is primarily for readers from the San Francisco Bay Area. If you want to help people who were affected by the terrible explosions in San Bruno, CA, here’s a list put together by Laura Mason of the website 7×7. At least four people were killed in the blast, caused by a gas line leak, and dozens have been left homeless.
Save San Bruno, Get A Haircut! On Wednesday, September 22nd, band together and help our neighbors by attending Save San Bruno: A Cut for Charity, an all-day hair-cutting extravaganza hosted by Johnny Bueno and his stylists Jeremy Jenks and Guf Gufler. Starting at 9am until 7pm, Johnny Bueno Color Studio will donate $75 or 100% of any haircut to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s efforts to help the San Bruno explosion’s victims. Clients can expect to be fully pampered with a new ‘do, along with helpings of Blue Bottle coffee and mini cupcakes from Miette. @ 166 Geary St., Suite 1005. (415)362-2668.
The SF Giants have big hearts. They’re dedicating tomorrow’s home game against the LA Dodgers to the victims of the San Bruno fire, and are donating $3 of every ticket to relief efforts. They will also be accepting donations from fans at that came to donate to the cause. Click here for details.
The Salvation Army got a head start on their relief efforts by sending out mobile kitchens to offer cold drinks and food for those fighting the San Bruno fires while providing counseling for displaced families. To keep their relief going strong, donate money so they can buy supplies most necessary for those in crisis. Needless to say, 100% of these Salvation Army San Bruno Disaster Relief Fund proceeds go to help those affected. Click here for ways to pledge money.
Wells Fargo and Safeway, both of whom have already contributed thousands of their own money, are accepting donations to give to the American Red Cross’ efforts to help affected families. Through the end of September, you can donate money to San Bruno’s families at all Wells Fargo ATMs in San Mateo County. To help out while grocery shopping, you can donate money at any Safeway checkout stand in one of their 80 participating stores around the Bay Area.
The Jewish Community Federation is also on the front lines of relief efforts with financial and volunteer assistance. They are accepting donations, all of which will go to the most effective service providers in the area. Click here to make a donation. If you live in the area and would like to donate supplies, bring diapers, blankets, shoes, towels, kid’s clothing to the San Bruno Recreation Center at 251 City Park Way in San Bruno.
If you want to donate blood, Blood Centers of the Pacific are accepting donations this weekend and in the following weeks for victims. They’ve extended their hours to accomodate the outpouring of recent donations. Two of their donation centers in the city are at Irwin Center at 270 Masonic Ave., and at Downtown Center at 250 Bush St. For additional donation centers and their hours around the peninsula and in the East Bay, click here.
The Jizo Chronicles 
As Buddhists (or progressive minded people in general) I would like to suggest that we not donate money to The Salvation Army. While this fund my go directly to those effected, a central aspect of the Salvation Army mission is Christian conversion. We don’t see much of it in their US work, but the Salvation Army is known abroad for tying aid to the promotion proselytization. The Salvation Army has targeted Buddhists in Thailand and other places for “salvation” and has contributed to the loss of indigenous traditions labeling them “satanic”. We should not help them in these efforts. Donate to other organizations, please.
Thanks for the list. this gives those who live in the state, surrounding area and on the other side of the country a chance to help.