Japanese journalists and brothers Kazuki Saito and Hiroyuki Saito have created a calendar using some of their favorite images from the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series to raise money for charities supporting the families affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which struck Japan on March 11, 2011. The photo calendar will support recovery in the areas affected.
 
The brothers cover the IZOD IndyCar Series via their website US-RACING.net. Chief editor Kazuki Saito and his brother, motorsports photographer Hiroyuki Saito, both grew up in Tagajo city, Miyagi Prefecture, one of the areas worst affected by the disaster.
 
The tsunami came within a half-mile of their family home. Not only did it cause unprecedented loss of life, it also destroyed the homes and jobs of many of the survivors. Following the earthquake, Kazuki and Hiroyuki travelled to their hometown and saw for themselves the true destruction that had occurred that day.
 
They realized just how long the road to recovery would be for the region and that long-term support will be required to move forward.
 
"At US-RACING, we learned that no one is immune to natural disasters and felt more people around the world could learn from this," the brothers wrote in their calendar. "As our way of contributing to the recovery, we decided to launch the 'USRACING Photo Aid Appeal', making a selection of our photos available for purchase and download, in the hope that the people affected in this disaster will not be forgotten."
 
Proceeds will be donated to charity organizations that support families in the affected areas who have children suffering from disabilities.
 
The calendar can be purchased via the following link: http://www.dlmarket.jp/product_info.php/products_id/182153/language/en