According to an official Air Force release, the US Air Force chapel community raised more than a quarter million dollars to aid the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11, members of the Air Force Chaplain Corps on 43 installations helped raise more than $257,000 toward relief efforts for victims of the disaster, officials said here June 9.

The effort began with a call from the Air Force Chief of Chaplains:

On March 15, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson, the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, encouraged chapel community Airmen and their families to take designated offerings at worship services to assist the earthquake victims.

The funds went to a variety of aid organizations, including a Catholic aid group and the Billy Graham-founded Samaritan’s Purse: 

“The chapel community is made up of individuals whose compassion for others comes from dealing with challenges in their own lives and becoming more resilient as a result,” Chaplain Richardson said.

“In just six weeks, we received numerous donations, which we then gave to many different organizations such as the American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan’s Purse, to name a few.”

As some at Fort Bragg found out the hard way, the Chapel Tithes and Offering Funds — the funds collected as a result of the religious act of worship of military congregants — may be used to fund a wide variety of activities official funds are not.

In this case, the nation of Japan has seen the benefits of the Air Force chapel community — which likely included members of many faiths — and the Air Force and the nation benefit as a result.

All because of the offering plate and a willing spirit.