Avril Lavigne: T-Shirt Design to Benefit Young Quake Survivors

This week, Avril Lavigne – through her charity foundation & Abbey Dawn clothing websites – announced she was releasing a new t-shirt she designed to support young victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in early March.

According to the singer, 100% of the net proceeds from each sale would be going to her foundation’s support of the Mercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program, in partnership with their local partner Peace Winds.

In her announcement, Lavigne describes how “Comfort for Kids” trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster; bringing help and hope to the children and youth of Japan who have been affected by this disaster.

The heart-centric design is available in two shirt designs: the Abbey Dawn “Love Japan” Oversized Tee (pictured right) and a Crop Jersey Tee.

This contribution to survivors is particularly timely today, as Japan experienced yet another earthquake off the Pacific Coast of its northern coast early Thursday. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially warned that a tsunami could be generated by the estimated 6.7 magnitude quake, but canceled the warning less than an hour afterward.

–

According to their website, Mercy Corps and its partner Peace Winds have delivered supplies and support to approximately 42,000 displaced survivors in several tsunami-devastated cities since Since March 14.

Their assistance has included delivery of critical food items, provision of tents and shelters, building a bathing facility and providing household supplies for families moving into temporary housing.

Their focus has now primarily shifted to both psychological and economic recovery from the disaster. To facilitate recovery for the youngest survivors they have launched “Comfort for Kids”, which helps children work through the emotional effects of a large-scale disaster through therapeutic play, art and sports activities.

Mercy Corps has also contributed to the economic recovery of these cities through other programs that include:

• Providing vouchers for families moving into temporary housing, which they can use to buy much-needed food, clothing and household supplies,
• Starting a bus program to help displaced survivors access stores and services,
• Supporting mobile shops in Rikuzentakata, which allows people living in evacuation centers and temporary housing to buy their own fresh food for the first time since the disaster,
• Boosting the capacity of local Chambers of Commerce to support local businesses, and
• Working with local fish markets and fishing associations to assess and revitalize the region’s most important industry.

Also see: Avril Lavigne Foundation | Mercy Corp: Japan Earthquake

Avril Lavigne was raised in Napanee, Ontario – just 20 minutes west of Kingston.

————————————————————————————————-

Tags: Abbey Dawn, Avril Lavigne

Category: News