Here you can read about a girl scout group in Japan (American military dependents, I’m presuming, since they meet on base! Army brats like me!) I spoke by email with the coordinator last night and they are taking local donations AND accepting packages from stateside. Since it’s an APO address it’s like shipping a box to an American address (and not international shipping, woo-hoo.) So if you and/or your children want to put together anything, you can send it here:

Misawa Girl Scouts
Unit 5027
APO, AP 96319

Questions can be sent to:
JPayne.GirlScouts@gmail.com

And the sorts of things they are looking for to create these comfort backpacks:

We will be collecting packs & items until 15 May 2011.

paper, pen, crayons
coloring books
flashlights w/ batteries
stuffed animals
playing cards
comics
tissue
non-perishable snacks
new or gently used backpacks
games
hats
small blankets
stuff animal
toothpaste/brush
lotion
chapstick
hairbrush/comb

Please no clothes and provide extra batteries for electronic items.
Please indicate whether your backpack is for a girl, boy, or either sex.

Also indicate the general age.
The backpacks can be a clean, used backpack or a new one.

The backpack should be something you would want to receive!

We’re putting together a couple backpacks with coloring books, crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. I like that this is a tangible way our children can help children there and feel involved. Sending money there is always appreciated, but I think it helps children to have a concrete way to feel they can help others.

We have two new child backpacks with coloring books, one with lacing beads and one with paint. Markers, colored pencils, crayons. Stickers, some toy balls, erasers, mini notepads, tissues, and each has some toothpaste & a toothbrush (Dora & Diego.) This was just stuff we collected from around the house and had in our gift bin. The kids are now working on making some felt stuffed animals to include.

We’ve been praying for Japan, it’s nice to have a chance to help the kids do something for the children there, however small it may be. I like to imagine someday little kids there will open these backpacks from us and know that children across the world were praying for and thinking of them.