By: Stephanie Turaj
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Hope For Japan
The students involved with Hope For Japan decided on “Hope” as their slogan because “hope” is also the Rhode Island official motto.
Last month, Japan was hit by an earthquake and a tsunami that left the country devastated. Many Japanese students at Salve Regina University have been directly affected by this disaster. These students and other Salve classmates have teamed up to organize a series of fundraising events during the week of April 11. Funds raised during this week, named “Hope for Japan” week, will be donated to the Japanese Consulate in Boston, which will send the money over to the Red Cross in Japan.
Katsumune Washitani, a junior and one of the organizers of the event, said the group has no goal amount of money they are hoping to raise, but they have 900 stickers printed out that they are hoping to sell. The students decided “Hope for Japan” will be their slogan, because “hope” is Rhode Island’s official motto. “Japan is still very present news, but it’s been almost a month, and we’re on totally opposite sides of the world, so people don’t think it’s real,” said Washitani. “You have to keep people’s memory fresh.” The week will kick off on Monday, April 11 for “Red and White Day.” Members of the Salve Regina community and the neighboring public can show their support by purchasing a “Hope for Japan” sticker and dressing in red and white. “I think the stickers were one of the easiest ways to get students and faculty and staff to contribute,” said Allison Riendeau, a senior. “They are little and say ‘Hope for Japan,’ just as a symbol that you contributed.” Riendeau became involved with Hope for Japan after seeing how deeply the disaster affected her Japanese roommates. On April 12 at 7 p.m. Hope for Japan will hold the Hope for Japan Vigil in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel. There will be traditional Japanese music played and clips of the earthquake shown. Washitani will introduce the Mayor of Newport, who will give a statement regarding the disaster in Japan. “We want to invite people from Newport, Middletown or whoever wants to come to the forum,” said Washitani. “We are trying to make a big movement, and wanted to invite the mayor to launch our information into a much bigger community.” Dr. Aida Neary, international student advisor, will show video clips of the earthquake and invite students to speak about their thoughts surrounding the earthquake. During the presentation, a fundraising basket for donations will be passed around. The evening will conclude in prayers for the victims, and ribbon tying on the fence outside the Chapel. On April 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a “Special Things for Thursday” event in Wakehurst. For a suggested donation of $1 to $5, students and members of the public can receive a card with their name written in Japanese or cards in Japanese with the words: “Hope, Love and Peace.” April 15 will be the annual testing of the SRU-Emergency Alert system and a tolling of the chapel in remembrance of Japanese victims. In Miley Hall, students can also purchase sushi sample plates with proceeds benefiting “Hope for Japan.” Washitani is hopeful for Japan’s future, partially because the amount of support the country has received. “I was so amazed that over 100 countries decided to help Japan,” said Washitani. “It’s important that my generation is aware that we are the ones creating our future.” For more information, visit the Hope for Japan Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hope-for-Japan/174751265908468 or donate to the the Consulate’s donation page at: http://www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/eng/2011earthquake/donations.html.
