Schools
Local Students Raising Money for Japanese Disaster Victims
Proceeds from 'Miracle Minutes', sales of wristbands will go to Japanese Red Cross
Fountain Valley High School has raised more than $5,000 to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. But with more collection opportunities in the next few weeks, the school expects to raise even more.
FVHS Associated Student Body conducted two sets of Miracle Minute at a baseball game on March 18 and during third period on March 22, where students collect as much money as possible in 60 seconds.
Meanwhile, Japanese teacher Saori Tanaka and her students have been selling wristbands. At $2 a piece, four styles are offered in red and white, each containing a message: “Japan Tsunami Relief,” “FVHS Helping Japan,” “Daisuki Nihon” (We Love Japan) and “”Ganbare Nihon” (Support Japan).
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Students in Tanaka’s Japanese 2 and 3 classes have also written encouraging letters to victims in Japan. More than 100 letters have been collected and parents have volunteered to cover the cost of shipping.
“The community has really come together and the support has been great,” Tanaka said. Wristbands have even left campus with students who have been selling them throughout the community, she added.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to Japanese newspaper Sankei, the devastation on March 11 claimed 10,668 lives, but officials believe there are many more who are still unaccounted for. In addition, more than 16,000 people are missing, thousands are left without a home and food and water remain scarce.
Tanaka shared that she has family in Tokyo who were not directly affected, but has had to comfort friends who have family members swept away by the waters. “This is all very close to my heart and I want to do whatever I can to help Japan get back in shape,” she said.
No additional Miracle Minute has been announced, but bracelets will continue to sell for the next two week, or “until we run out of them,” Tanaka said. All proceeds will go directly to Red Cross of Japan.
To buy wristbands, contact Tanaka at stanaka@fvhs.com. For all other inquires on how to help, visit the FVHS front office at 17816 Bushard Street or call (714) 962-3301.
