Quarters from Kids : Frequently Asked Questions

About QFK and the Tsunami Disaster

Q: What is a tsunami?
A: Tsunami is a Japanese term that describes a large sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake. A tsunami is capable of considerable destruction in coastal areas. Although in the open ocean the wave height may be less than 3 feet, it can grow to heights of 50 feet (as tall as a five-story building!) or more as it approaches coastal areas.

Q: When and where did the tsunami hit?
A: On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred in the ocean off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. This was the fourth largest earthquake in the world since 1900. The earthquake generated a tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean within hours. Areas near the epicenter in Indonesia, especially Aceh, were devastated by the earthquake and the tsunami. The tsunami also affected Phuket and surrounding areas in Thailand, Penang in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and places as far as Somalia in Africa.

Q: How many people have been affected by the tsunami?
A: Presently, there are over 160,000 dead across 11 countries with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand being among the hardest hit. According to UNICEF, children account for a large proportion of casualties because they represent 39 percent of the overall population in the eight hardest-hit countries. Eyewitness accounts indicate that many children died because they weren’t strong enough to hold on to fixtures or trees when huge tidal waves swept them off their feet. Over 5 million people are homeless, and a large percentage of them are children.

Q: Where can I learn more?
A: For the latest news and information on the impact of the tsunami, we recommend the following sources:

Q: I heard a lot of money has been raised. Why do we need to raise more?
A: Most of the money being raised now will go to meet the immediate needs of people who are homeless and injured. Billions of dollars more will be needed to rebuild the areas that were devastated by the tsunami.

Quarters From Kids Coalition

Q: What is the QFK coalition?
A: Quarters From Kids is a nationwide, grassroots effort to engage young Americans, and adults who work with them, in a collective response to the tsunami disaster in Asia.

More than 100 organizations dedicated to children — including educators, service organizations, social entrepreneurs, youth and child care organizations, colleges, and schools working with millions of children across America — joined together in recognition that when young people learn they can help improve their world they do so with idealism, passion, and vigor. For a complete list of Coalition members, see the Quarters From Kids About Page.

Q: Can my school/club/organization join the coalition?
A: Yes. Please visit the Quarters From Kids Get Involved Page for more information on how you, your club, school, or organization can join this effort.

Giving Money

Donation

Q: How do I give money to help tsunami victims?
A: You can submit the money you’ve raised by visiting our Give Page Make sure you get a grownup involved — they can write you a check, help you get a money order, or use their credit card to make a contribution online to the Quarters From Kids Relief Partner of your choice.

Q: Who should I give my money to?
A: That’s entirely up to you! All of the relief organizations on this site are working hard to get relief to people in need. Information about all of the organizations can be found on the Give Page.

Q: Where will my money go, and who will benefit from the money raised?
A: The funds raised will go directly to the Quarters From Kids Relief Partner of your choice. All Relief Partners listed on this site are engaged in assisting tsunami victims.

Q: Can I give money to more than one organization?
A: Yes. You can split up the money you’ve raised any way you like, as long as you make a separate donation for each organization. Please donate often!

Q: I have only collected a small amount. Should I still donate?
A: Yes, please. The minimum donation is $5. However, every bit helps. $5 can buy enough medicine to keep one child healthy for three months.

Q: How much of my money will actually go to help tsunami victims?
A: 100% of donations collected through Quarters From Kids will go directly to a Quarters From Kids Relief Partner to help victims of the tsunami.

Fundraising

Q: How can I participate?
A: Children can participate by collecting and raising money. This could be quarters from friends, neighbors, or classmates, or money from their own allowance. Here is a list of tips on how to raise money.

Q: I am an adult who works closely with children and I would like to contribute to this campaign. Are my contributions welcome, or are you only accepting money raised by children?
A: All contributions are welcome, regardless of the age of the fundraiser. This is an effort to help engage as many Americans as possible in the relief effort.

Q: How can parents participate?
A: Parents and family members can encourage children to get involved or help them learn about the impact of the tsunami and the role of relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Q: How can teachers or schools participate?
A: Schools, after-school programs, and community centers can become Community Partners by setting up donation centers and tallying children’s contributions. They can direct those contributions to the organization of their choice by following specific instructions on our Give Page.

Q: Does all the money have to be in quarters?
A: No. Dimes, dollars, and any other denominations of money are also welcome.

Q: How can I raise money to help tsunami victims?
A: Visit our Just for Kids Page to learn creative ways to raise money!

Q: Who can I ask for money?
A: Anyone. Start with your friends, neighbors, classmates, or entire school to donate a quarter, dollar, or more! The more people that help you, the more good we can do. You can ask adults to donate too — including your parents, family members, teachers, coaches, and others that you know and trust.

Q: Can I send my quarters in directly?
A: No. Unfortunately, quarters are very heavy and not the best method for getting your money into the relief organizations. You can have a grownup write you a check or take you to get a money order for the money you’ve raised.

Q: Where can I turn in my donation?
A: There are two ways that you can turn in your donations to Quarters From Kids Relief Partners:

You can link directly to the websites of Quarters From Kids Relief Partners through the Give Page. You can select from participating organizations on our website, and they will track your donations and let us know how much money children have raised.
You can also send checks to our Relief Partners. Addresses and links to their donation pages are also on the Give Page.

Q: I work for a relief organization. How can we work with Quarters From Kids to distribute money to those affected by the tsunamis?
A: All organizations engaged in relief activities can become Quarters From Kids Relief Partners. Relief Partners commit to:

Creating a Quarters From Kids Fund that can track money raised from this initiative;
Reporting on the amount raised from Quarters From Kids to the Coalition on a daily basis;
Acknowledging donations received.

Q: How did you pick the relief organizations?
A: Relief Partners listed on this website are there because of their interest in engaging America’s youth in the campaign to raise money to help tsunami victims. They also have strong reputations in providing aid to those in need.

Q: What are the differences between the various relief organizations listed?
A: They differ in the areas they serve and the services they provide. Visit our Give Page to learn about the different ways each organization helps people in need. The one thing they all have in common is their commitment to helping victims of the tsunami.

Q: Where does the money I collect go?
A: 100% of the money collected goes to the Quarters From Kids Relief Partner of your choice. All Quarters From Kids Relief Partners are directly assisting tsunami victims.

Q: Can I pick which country my money goes to help?
A: No, but you can choose which relief organization to give your money to, as long as it is a Quarters From Kids Relief Partner.

Q: Will Quarters From Kids take any overhead from the money that children raise?
A: No. All money raised by children will be sent directly to organizations providing relief and rehabilitation. This is an effort to mobilize children and youth to participate in the tremendous relief efforts that are already taking place, and all money will go to benefit these efforts.

Tax & Donation

Q: Is my contribution tax deductible?
Only money that you personally contribute is tax deductible. Money raised from others is not tax deductible. Please visit the websites of our relief partners to learn more about documentation for tax deductions.

Staying Involved

Q: How can other organizations participate?
Businesses can become Business Partners by contributing matching grants, setting up collection locations in their stores and offices, and creating a link to Quarters From Kids on their websites. Information about signs and banners for collection locations is available on our Partner Tool Kit Page.

Banks can become Banking Partners by offering matching funds and/or serving as collection centers where individuals and groups can drop off their funds to wire them directly to the bank accounts of participating relief organizations.

Nonprofit organizations can join the Quarters From Kids Coalition and help mobilize the children in their networks to engage in this campaign. They can become Kids in Action Partners by contributing resources and ideas on how kids can learn about the tsunami crisis. Most importantly, they can reach out to the children in their networks to engage them in this campaign. Learning organizations can also link from this website directly to relevant curriculum on their own websites.