IRVINE, CA (BRAIN)—As Northeast Japan recovers from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck last month, the industry is doing its part to help in any way it can.
Shimano Inc. has donated 100 million Yen (1.2 million USD) to the Japanese Red Cross Society and winter clothes worth 30 million Yen.
“We express our heartfelt sympathy to the people affected by the earthquake and sincerely hope for safety and swift recovery of the people and the affected area,” Shimano said in a statement.
Shimano said the earthquake and tsunami isn’t influencing production of Shimano bicycle components. Shimano’s headquarters in Osaka, Japan—about 372 miles southwest of the severely damaged Sendai—wasn’t affected by the quake. Shimano’s Shimonoseki factory didn’t suffer any damages either.
Shimano said in a statement that it will continue to keep customers informed as the instability at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to play out.
Timbuk2 also contributed to the cause by donating $10 to the Red Cross when customers bought a custom bag.
“Timbuk2 is thrilled with the amount raised during their Japan relief efforts promotion and the overwhelming amount of support they received from Timbuk2 customers,” the company said in a statement. “During the promotion, Timbuk2 saw an immediate impact in online sales during the first day of promotion and a 30 percent jump in online sales throughout the week.”
Bicycle accessories company BioLogic is donating 100 percent of proceeds from online sales to the Japan Red Cross for seven days, starting yesterday.
Vermont-based companies Ibex outdoor clothing and Darn Tough Vermont are sending seven boxes (213 pounds) of warm winter Ibex garments and 1,000 pairs of socks to the people of Japan.
You can help too. Send Ibex your old warm winter clothing and any old Ibex garments, and they will donate it to the people of Japan.
Donation suggestions include baselayers, long sleeve shirts, jackets, pants, insulated layers, winter hats and gloves.
Ibex will collect donations from April 1 through May 31. Please send donations to:
Ibex Outdoor Clothing
Attn: JAPAN DONATION
132 Ballardvale Drive.
White River Junction, VT 05001
If you are in the Boston area, you can drop off donations at the Ibex retail store at 303 Newbury Street, Boston.
Ibex and Darn Tough Vermont are sending product to the Yokohama International School in Yokohama, Japan where the school’s headmaster is coordinating the local donations and getting supplies to the afflicted areas.
—Jason Norman
jnorman@bicycleretailer.com
