One of the Zone’s most cherished traditions is our annual birthday gift for Johnny, called the Birthday Project. Each year we choose a charity which is connected to Johnny’s philanthropic interests, pool our modest contributions, and make a Zone donation to a worthy cause in his honor, as a way of celebrating and thanking Johnny for all the joy he has given us over the year.

The 2011 Johnny Depp Zone Birthday Project will benefit the Mercy Corps Fund to Help Survivors of Japan’s Earthquake. On March 3, 2011, Johnny Depp was in Tokyo for the premiere of The Tourist; as always during his trips to Japan, he was greeted by large, enthusiastic crowds at Narita Airport and at the premiere. A week later, tragedy struck — the strongest earthquake to hit Japan in a hundred years. We are heartbroken for our Japanese friends and want to help them recover and rebuild.

In a public service announcement for Unite for Japan, Johnny Depp said, “A catastrophe of this magnitude almost seems like science fiction—but it’s not. It’s real. It’s very real.” Johnny then urged all of us to make a donation and “spread the word, to unite for Japan.” You can hear Johnny’s words here:

We can think of no birthday gift more fitting than to answer his plea and give what we can to help those in Japan who have lost so much.

Your donation to Mercy Corps will be used to meet immediate and longer-term needs of Japan’s earthquake survivors. If you want to donate by credit card, please use the red “Donate Now” button on this page.

If you prefer to donate by Paypal, please use this yellow “Donate” button to link to our 2011 Birthday Project Paypal account:

If you prefer to donate by check or telephone, CLICK HERE to visit the Johnny Depp Zone’s Birthday Project forum for the telephone number and information on mailing your check.

We will be accepting donations through Johnny’s birthday, June 9, 2011. Please join us in saying “Thank you” and “Happy Birthday” to Johnny Depp. Your donation can bring comfort and support when it is needed most.