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Community Corner

Help Japan Heal

Local organizations assist those in Japan suffering after the earthquake, tsunami and radiation disaster.

Japanese-Americans and others throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are uniting in response to the need resulting from Japan’s recent earthquake, tsunami and radiation disaster.

There are several ways the community can provide support for the thousands in Japan who are suffering loss as a result of the recent natural disasters and subsequent nuclear emergency:

  • Attend the Help Japan Fundraiser, presented by the Japanese Cultural Fair. On April 23, local artists, including Watsonville Taiko and Kyle Abbott, will perform songs and dances with acclaimed Cabrillo College history professor Sandy Lydon as master of ceremonies. The event will take place at the Rio Theater from 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, established through a joint effort between Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California and the Japanese Cultural Fair. Advance tickets are available at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Capitola Book Cafe, Streetlight Records and online at jcfsantacruz.org.
  • Make a direct donation online or by mail. One-hundred percent of donations will go to citizen relief efforts in the most affected areas. Checks should be made out to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and mailed to the JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco 94115.

“The money from the Help Japan Fundraiser will be used to buy food, clothing, supplies, kerosene, and for rebuilding, burial assistance as well as to aid search efforts for areas most affected,” said Paul Kaneko, president of the Japanese Cultural Fair, which will be held in Santa Cruz in June.

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With population control regulations in Japan, “the average age of Japan is somewhat older,” he said, so relief for the elderly is particularly important.

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