MDRT establishes Japan disaster relief fund

In response to the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan on March 11, 2011, the Million Dollar Round Table and the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation have established the MDRT Japan Disaster Relief Fund. The MDRT Foundation has donated the first $50,000 to the fund, and MDRT will match donations up to another $100,000.

“There has been a tremendous outpouring of support around the globe for those impacted by recent events in Japan,” said MDRT President Julian H. Good, Jr., CLU, ChFC. “MDRT has more than 3,000 members of our family located in Japan. We’ve established this matching fund to enable our members to double the amount of their contributions and provide even more assistance to those in need.”

With donations being accepted through April 30, 2011, the MDRT Japan Disaster Relief Fund represents an industry-wide effort supported by not just MDRT members but also other industry associations and companies. One hundred percent of all contributions to this fund will directly support the American Red Cross and MDRT Foundation Japan, providing medical care, food, clothing and shelter to those in affected areas of Japan.

 In addition to assisting those suffering in Japan, the MDRT Foundation has donated to relief efforts in New Zealand and Australia. The Foundation partnered with the MDRT Foundation Japan to donate a total of $20,000 to the New Zealand Red Cross following the earthquake in Christchurch. Another $10,000 was donated to The Salvation Army in response to the flooding in Australia.