I have been doing this charity sell for our big earthquake /Higashi nihon daishinsai and past money to several citizen and NGO.
But I visited Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima where the earthquake hit this summer. I felt that we should buy items from there rather than offer donetion since these citizen are motiveted work. I went to a sushi restant at Kesennuma. They open shop a refuge prefabricated house. Even it is at prefabricated house, I felt comfotable becouse of thier hospitality. I felt that offering money to them is not polite. I also bought a iron tea pot for the tea ceremony. They are creating new items to make new market. How I can offer just money to them? Giving money looks arrogant, I felt.
This is the style of sushi restrant. I could not take photo of them becouse of night.
Their site http://asahizushi.jp/?page_id=1307
This tea pot is from Iwate (Nanbu tekki) 70,000yen! It was expensive for me but to respect work. I bought it!
Also Kimono is very Eco since Kimono have long life and very warm in winter. Were more Kimono!