The disaster in Japan has unleashed a tidal wave of sympathy and assistance around the globe — and celebrities are doing their part to help out. Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Charlie Sheen are among those raising monies for those afflicted by the catastrophic events in that country.
— "Born This Way" chanteuse Lady Gaga is selling a new wristband, inscribed with the message "We Pray for Japan." The wristbands are selling for $5 each, but purchasers are encouraged to "Choose your price to add an additional donation with your wristband." In either case, all proceeds from the wristbands — currently available for pre-order — will go directly to relief efforts in Japan.
— Sandra Bullock, who has opened her wallet before in times of disaster, donated $1 million to the Red Cross to hep out with relief efforts in Japan.
— Kim Kardashian is auctioning off a chance to meet her via Charity Buzz.
— "Fire and Rain" singer/songwriter James Taylor is also going the auction route with his relief efforts, offering an acoustic guitar that's been autographed and personalized by him.
— Disney starlet Demi Lovato, who reportedly also donated $1 million of her own money to relief efforts, further encouraged her fans to also donate by having herself photographed with a sign made to look like a Japanese flag with the words "Please Help" inscribed in the center.
–"American Idol," which last week began selling studio versions of songs by its contestants via iTunes, is donating a portion of the proceeds from this year's songs to Japanese disaster relief.
–Charlie Sheen will donate $1 from each ticket sold for his "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option" tour to the Red Cross' earthquake-relief fund.
–Linkin Park is offering help through its Music for Relief charity by selling T-shirts designed by band member Mike Shinoda. The T-shirts depict a butterfly on one side and the message "Not Alone" on the other.
–Singer Katy Perry is urging fans to donate on her Twitter account. The "I Kissed a Girl" songbird tweeted, "Imagine if we ALL texted REDCROSS to 90999 we'd have raised over 60 million dollars for #JAPAN RELIEF."
–Google chairman & CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy, are matching the first $100,000 in funds donated to relief efforts via Citizen Effect and Twitpay/RT2Give.
