Fundraising Events for Japan

(Apr. 3, 2011) The people of Japan are suffering the greatest catastrophe since the end of World War II and people around the world, including many in our country, are stepping up to help them. Each person or organization is helping in their own way. In our own community individuals are donating through the Red Cross, Salvation Army, churches, civic organizations, businesses and other ways. There was a fund raiser at the Sushi House Restaurant on Western last Sunday and there is another at the Tokyo Pot Restaurant on 10^th Street just west of Main Street this afternoon. Donations for the earthquake/tsunami fundraising campaign were accepted at Culture Night on the OSU campus Friday night and last night. All last week students were selling T-shirts, working on a 1000 Cranes peace project, hosting a Japan flag message project, selling tickets for a Japanese Culture dinner and accepting donations on the library lawn on the OSU campus. A Japanese Culture Dinner is being hosted by the Office of International Students and Scholars and will be held in the Conoco Phillips Alumni Center Sunday April 10 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. The dinner includes performances, fashion show, calligraphy, origami and a silent auction from 3:00 to 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $10 by calling Naho Timson at 405-744-5482 for tickets or additional information . Naho who is a native of Japan is very involved in many of the fundraising events out of great concern for the people in her home country. I hope you’ll support the people in Japan who are suffering so much in whatever way you see fit.

On another subject, Mrs. Hiroko Fujita, the storyteller from Japan that shared stories with elementary school children in Stillwater for a number of years will be in our community again for only a few days. Tuesday afternoon and evening she will be at the Presbyterian Church for two events. From 4 to 5 pm there will be a Meet and Greet time to go by and say hello and at 5:30 a Baked Potato and Ice Cream fellowship for an opportunity to visit longer. If you would like to attend the fellowship at 5:30 please call Nancy Simpson at 405-880-5306.