Los Angeles Reaches Out To Tsunami Victims In Japan

By now you've probably already heard that texting REDCROSS to 90999 donates $10 to the Red Cross relief effort. HuffPost Impact has the scoop on the best international aid organizations accepting contributions for the rescue and recovery effort in Japan, and here's HuffPost blogger Saundra Schimmelpfennig on how to make a smart, strategic donation.

In Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Japanese-American communities in the country, many of its members are stepping up to offer their time, crafts, and services in support of the relief effort. Japanese-American comedians Paul Ogata and KT Tatara join Kevin Nealon at a Laugh Factory event where 100% of the ticket sales go to the Red Cross. At restaurant Takami Sushi & Robata, where many of the staff are personally affected by the tsunami, 100% of all meal proceeds are being donated to the Red Cross. And the JapanLA store on Melrose is hosting an art exhibit in which 100% of all the sale proceeds benefit the relief effort as well. If you know of any other events going on around the city, please let us know in the comment section below.