Saving Lives... One Vending Machine Beverage at a Time?

Let's talk drinking and donating for a minute. Here's a simple chart:

Water + Donating Blood = Good

Alcohol + Donating Blood = Bad

Soda + Donating Change = Awesome

As proof of the latter, I give you these cool new vending machines straight outta Japan. As mentioned on the Wall Street Journal blog, "Rather than collect the change from a canned coffee or sweet soda, customers can elect to donate it to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami relief fund set up by the Japanese Red Cross. Donations can be made in ¥10 or ¥100 increments. After making a donation, a voice pipes up thanking customers for their good deed of the day."

Sure, one could argue that sodas aren't good for you, but better to save a life than die of thirst, no?

Reblogged from CrossBlog

Earthquake in Japan, Tsunami Readiness in the Pacific Northwest: We Stand Ready to Assist

The Red Cross of WNC is on standby for deployment to Japan and the Pacific Northwest. For information on what our fellow Red Crossers around the world are doing in response, please follow the National Red Cross, the Oregon Trail Red Cross, the Hawaii Red Cross or the Red Cross of Asheville on Twitter for updates in response to the earthquake in Japan and tsunami readiness in the Pacific Northwest.

Looking for family/travelers in Japan? Go here.

Update: 2:00 PM: The military has reported that all their personnel are accounted for, and all Red Cross staff on military bases are also fine. As is the normal practice for a disaster, Red Cross station managers are currently in the military Emergency Operations Centers for their respective installations and assisting as needed.

Update: 1:28 PM: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Northwest Disaster Relief, Shelter Operations, etc. Or click here to make a secure online donation.

Update: 12:34 PM: The American Red Cross "Safe and Well" website has been updated to include the Japanese Earthquake in our drop down menu. Members of the public and military can register themselves on the site as being safe and well, allowing family members to search on their status. Click here to register or search.

Txt REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to #Japan EQ & Pacific #tsunami relief. http://bit.ly/eZJDoJ 3/11/11 1:26 PM via twitter Red Cross Asheville
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Yokota Air Base, Japan: 175 RC volunteers assisting w/ shelter operations, 2 flights have landed & they currently have 600 in the shelter.3/11/11 12:45 PM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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Members of the public and military can register themselves as being safe and well in Japan. http://bit.ly/9ZwlyY 3/11/11/12:30PM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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Disaster Relief in #Japan. How to Help: Text REDCROSS to 90999 #tsunami #redcross 3/11/11 12:05 PM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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RT @RedCross: Contact the US State Department 1-888-407-4747 / 202-647-5225 for inquiries on US citizens living/traveling in #japan #tsunami 3/11/11 12:01 PM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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RT @RedCross: Japan #RedCross sent 11 response teams to help assess earthquake/tsunami damage, provide first aid for injured #tsunami #japan 3/11/11 11:40 AM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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We stand ready to assist our fellow Red Crossers in Japan, Hawaii, Washington & Oregon #tsunami #japan #redcross Our thoughts are with you! 3/11/11 11:30 AM via twitterRed Cross Asheville
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