On March 11, 2011 a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the east coast of Japan.  The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon Group was formed by the Japanese community in Victoria. We want to send a HUGE THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY OF VICTORIA for supporting our four fund raising events and showing your support with the purchase of the Support Japan 2011 t-shirt. Through your generosity, the Support Japan 2011 group raised over $100,000 for the Canadian and Japanese Red Cross Association emergency relief efforts including over 9,000 t-shirts sold. Thank you Victoria and Vancouver Island! Domo arigato gozaimashita.

Multimedia Files:

• Support_Japan_2011_T-Shirts.wmv
• Support_Japan_2011_Hillside_Mall.wmv
• Support_Japan_2011_Gala_Dinner.wmv
• Support_Japan_2011_Community_Fair.wmv
• Support_Japan_2011_Children's_Day.wmv
  
  Thank you to the companies and individuals who donated goods and services for our events:

Anonymous, 5th Ave. Trading, A la Mode, Annette Quan- Manulife Securities, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, Aura Restaurant at Laurel Point Inn, Ballet Victoria, Barb Northwood, Barbara Cameron, BC Coastal Grilling Planks, BC Egg Marketing Board, Belfry Theatre, Bergamot Aroma Spa, Best Western Westerly Hotel Courtenay, Blenkinsop Valley Golf Driving Range, Boulangerie Fol Epi, The Butchart Gardens, Capital Iron, Carolyn Cessar, Cascadia Liquor, Catherine Greenwood, Chalkboard Tutoring, Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites, Clear Skin Victoria, Connie Dunwoody, Marlon & Ryan Narciso, Craig Mercer, Curves Sidney, Daidoco Café, Design District Studio, Dino Castillo, Ebizo Japanese Restaurant, Emiko Nakagawa, The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Esquimalt Recreation, Esquimalt Trading Ltd., Etsuko Costin, Five Star Charters, Fonbo's Chinese Restaurant, Fujiya Japanese Foods, Futaba Japanese Restaurant, Future Friends Bed & Breakfast, Gala Fabrics, Golden City Restaurant, Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites,Harumi Ota Pottery, Helga Hendricks, Hillside Boston Pizza, Hotel Grand Pacific, Il Terazzo Restaurant, Inn at Laurel Point, Isadora Clothing, Jackson Grills, Jack Watanabe, James Ibaraki, Jamie's Whaling Station, Kaishin Health Practice, Keiko Kawano, Kent Laforme, Kissako Green Tea Café, Koto Japanese Restaurant, Kuma Noodle Japan, Kumiko Kozono, Kuniko Furuhata, Lesley Wynne Pechter, Lifestyles Market, Linny D. Vine, London Drugs, Lucy Mei Lee, Mako Yamamoto, Mark Switzer, Victoria Marriott Hotel, Martha McGachie, Meade Design Group, Megumi Peterson, Melody Cornell, Michele Butot, Michiko Warkentyne, Mika Turnbull, Miho Lindley, Miss Rosie Bitts, Moksana Yoga Centre, Mount Doug Market, National Geographic IMAX Theatre, Oak Bay Bicycles, Westshore, Oak Bay Bistro Restaurant, Oak Bay Pharmasave, Pearl Bright, Pederson's, Perfect 1 Hour Optical-Goldstream, Perfect 1 Hour Optical-Sooke, Phoenix Acupuncture, Pita Pit, Prima Strada Pizza, Rachelle Chinnery Porcelain, Rainbow Dreams, Rena Rogers, Robert Lovett Photography, Roche Cove Llamas Oceanfront, Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Roger Kawano, Royal BC Museum, Sacred Circle Yoga,Sandi Cakes, Satoko Ogura, Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse, Sen Zushi, Sherry Kirkvold, Shigenori Murata, Shima Sushi, Silicon Solutions, Silk Road Aromatherapy and Tea Co., Soul Arch Yoga, Spinnakers Brewpub, Springtide Charters, Starbucks Hillside, Starbucks Saanich Centre, StoneSoup Inn, Success Biz Coach, Sushi Plus, Sustainably Lush,Taro Chiba, Terry and Satsuki Kato-Behro, Theatre Skam, The Papery, Thrifty Foods-James Bay, Thrifty Foods-Fairfield, Tony Ibaraki, Traditional Oriental Health Centre, Truffles Catering, Victoria Chinese Lioness Club, Village's Pizza, Vitality Treatment Centre, Westcoast Brew Shop, Westjet, Wild Play, Yellow Point Vacations, Yi Xi Zhang, Yoko West

Michelle Paget and Rem Kirby, Hillside Shopping Centre
Vicky Low, Golden City Chinese Restaurant
Principal Dupain and Madame Briant, Ecole Victor Brodeur
Mary Wise, University Heights Mall
Rev. Alan and Megumi Saunders, First Metropolitan United Church
Mega Screen Productions
Times Colonist
Victoria’s Media Community

Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon Volunteers and Performers

Performers

Alcvin Ramos
Amber and Brian Chou
Eien Hunter Ishikawa
Furusato Dancers
Japanese School Children's Choir- Rina El-Nahas
Japanese School Soran Dancers- Harumi Shimada
Kaia and Keito Bryce
Kuniko Furuhata
Masako Hockey
Mayor Dean Fortin
Mike and Natsuki Abe
Rina and Danny El-Nahas
Ryan and Marlon Narciso and Connie Dunwoody
Satomi Edwards
Uminari Taiko

T-Shirt Distributors

Companies and individuals
Bill and Rita McCreadie
Bon Sushi
Capital Iron
Cheryl Mason (Banzai Japan)
Coast Guard Canada
David & Kumiko Woodward (Nanaimo)
Dodd’s Furniture
Fujiya Japanese Foods
Happy Diapers
Henry Shimizu
Hillside Shopping Centre
Inn at Laurel Point
Inter-Cultural Association
Jackie Dogue
Kahoru Noonan (Ontario)
Keiko Limshue (Nanaimo)
Kyoko Koizumi
Laura Uppal Jazzercise
Lifestyles Markets
Maki Ikemura (Cowichan Tsunami Relief)
Mami Takahashi
Market (on Yates and on Millstream)
Mega Screen Productions
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
Ministry of Social Development
Mirabai Concert
Mizuho Ogasawara (Campbell River)
Monk Office
Nicholas Randall
Passion for Compassion (Parksville)
Perfect 1hour Optical
Port Hardy Twinning Society
Rocky Mountain Soap Co.
Ruth Abe (Ontario)
Saanich Lions Club
Save On Foods Memorial Centre
Scotia Bank
Scott Wallace (Ontario)
Sen Zushi
Shar-Kare Feeds Ltd. (Parksville)
Silk Road Aromatherapy and Tea Company
Strathcona Hotel
Sushi Kobo (Sam Ogawa Campbell River)
Times Colonist
Tourism BC
Victoria West Community Association
Westjet
Yuka Takamura (Campbell River)
Yukari Peerless (Hope Love Japan)
Yumi Thompson (Karate Exhibition)

Schools
Bayside Middle School
Campus View School
Cloverdale Traditional School
Dwight International School
Ecole Victor Brodeur School
Gordon Head Middle School
Keating Elementary School
Lighthouse Student Centre
Oaklands School
Pacific Christian School
Sir James Douglas School
St. Andrew’s High School
Strawberry Vale School
Tamagawa Gakuen
University of Victoria International Students
Willows School

 

Thank you to the boards, members and planning committees from the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group

• Japanese Friendship Society
• Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society
• Victoria Morioka Friendship Society
• Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society

The VNCS home page is being used temporarily to provide updates on the activities of the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon umbrella group that includes the Japanese Friendship Society, Victoria Japanese Heritage School Society, the Victoria Morioka Friendship Society and the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society.

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon
(Earthquake and Tsunami Relief)

The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan. 

The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VHLSS).

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon!
The Support Japan 2011 page is where all of the activities and events around fundraising for the earthquake & tsunami survivors in Japan is being posted.

Media contact:  Michael Abe
President, Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon
Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com

T-Shirts! - information on where to get the Support Japan 2011 T-Shirts

Tears at Your Door - a musical tribute to friends in Japan

VOLUNTEER AND DONOR APPRECIATION EVENT
THANK YOU!!!
DOMO ARIGATO GOZAI MASHITA

Because of you, the Support Japan 2011 fundraising campaign was a huge success.

We invite you to our wrap up event:

Saturday, July 9, 2011
First Metropolitan United Church
932 Balmoral (corner of Quadra)
2:00-4:00 pm - FREE ADMISSION
 

This informal gathering will be an opportunity for everyone involved to help
celebrate the success of this important cause.

• Powerpoint presentation and recap of the events and t-shirt campaign.
• Announcement of final donation amounts to the Canadian and Japanese Red Cross
  Associations
• Chance to see new friends and fellow volunteers again
• Refreshments and light snacks provided. (Donations of baked goods also welcome, please label and bring on Saturday. No nuts, please)
• Door prizes
  
  RSVP appreciated for estimates of attendees but not essential. If you can come for a while, please join us.
  
  If you weren’t able to be involved but are interested in seeing the slide show, you are also welcome to attend.
  RSVP, questions or offers to assist, contact Michael Abe at mkabe2011@gmail.com

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon
Successful Japanese Children’s Day Festival enjoyed by children at University Heights Mall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 26, 2011 Victoria, BC

The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group held its fourth fundraiser, the Japanese Children’s Day Festival at University Heights Mall on May 7th . It was an event that provided hands-on Japanese activities and entertainment for kids and the young at heart. Thank you to University Heights Mall for hosting our event, which raised more than $3,500 in donations and t-shirt sales. And thank you to University Heights for arranging radio promotion on Ocean 98.5 and Jack FM leading up to the event.

This event was very special, and transcended fund raising. We’ve had other events that raised a lot more money but the energy and excitement of the kids enjoying the activities and gathering stamps in their activity passport was priceless.

The theme of the event was Kids Helping Kids and was evident in many ways. One of the activities that participants did was draw pictures and write messages to show support and encouragement to their counterparts in Japan. Just last week Bill McCreadie, President of the Victoria Morioka Friendship Society and his wife, Rita travelled to Morioka, Victoria’s sister city and during their visit they toured elementary and junior high schools in Rikuzentakata City in the disaster area and delivered the pictures to the students there.

In between performances by the Japanese School Children’s Choir and Dance troupe, the Furusato Dancers and storytelling, there was the opportunity to introduce and highlight some of our local heroes in the community. We welcomed Owen and Tyler, 7 year old buddies from St. Patrick’s School who were on hand to donate all the proceeds from their recent birthday parties. Owen is a veteran at fundraising and at the age of four he raised over $500 for school supplies and clothing for his pre-school’s foster child in Africa and raised a similar amount for the Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts. His charitable nature has rubbed off on his good friend Tyler as the two combined to raise $423.

And another local hero that we were honoured to come on stage was 8 year old Samantha from Willows Elementary School. Not only has the school sold over 380 Support Japan 2011 t-shirts, Samantha came up with the idea and spearheaded a “toonie” drive and raised over $1,130 dollars for the relief efforts.

We also welcomed 8 year old Anna, a Grade 2 student from Deep Cove Elementary School near Sidney who also had a birthday and was looking for a place to donate the proceeds from her party which had a Japanese theme. She found out about our Children’s Day event and what better place to donate her $100 than at the Kids Helping Kids event for the kids in Japan.

And not all donations were financial. We had 11 year old Aleia (holding her message above left), a Grade 6 student from Gordon Head Middle School come up and ask if she could sing as song. And boy could she sing as she belted out a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow that would have made Judy Garland proud. The audience was overwhelmed with her talent and asked for an encore. Aleia responded with a beautiful singing of “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus which she felt had an appropriate message about overcoming obstacles and persevering. Her school has also been active in fundraising for Japan and through t-shirt sales and collecting donations has raised over $1,500.

The highly successful t-shirt campaign also continues with over 8,000 Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon (Never Give Up, Japan) t-shirts sold. All net proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross and all net proceeds from donations collected from this event will go to the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund.

The success of the t-shirt campaign can be attributed to several local schools taking on the cause and selling the shirts to their students, teachers, families and friends. It’s a great way to show support and to sport this attractive
t-shirt designed and produced locally here in Victoria. In addition to Willows Elementary and Gordon Head Middle School, other schools that have been involved in selling the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon t-shirt include Sir James Douglas School, Campus View School, Oaklands School, Dwight International School, Bayside Middle School, Pacific Christian School, Ecole Victor Brodeur School, Strawberry Vale School, Cloverdale Traditional School, Keating Elementary and Lighthouse Student Centre.

Just after a news story by Jack Knox about the t-shirts appeared in the Times Colonist, we got a call from Pat McLeod looking for a t-shirt for her 5 year-old nephew Marco because he had heard about the Japanese earthquake and wanted to raise money at his birthday party that Saturday to help out the people in Japan. We appreciate being the beneficiary of $235 from little Marco from his party in Nanaimo in March.

We are grateful to the people of Victoria for supporting our Japanese community to raise funds for our friends and families in Japan during this trying time. Our fundraising events and t-shirts sales have raised more than $100,000. We hope that many people have been able to experience our cultural programming and we invite more schools to consider joining in the t-shirt campaign.

We are also grateful for other schools that are raising money for the relief efforts. Over 500 students from the Ladysmith Elementary, Intermediate and Ecole Davis Road held a Walk for Japan last week and raised over $1,900 for Canadian Red Cross. Children of the Pacific Ocean helping children of the Pacific Ocean, they wanted to help because they have family and friends in Japan and because this tragedy touched all of them. The students at Frank Hobbs Elementary are also raising funds by selling origami book marks.
And I can’t forget the look on 8 year old Alex’s face as it beamed with pride as he donated his $8 from his birthday twoonie party. And kudos to Tristan and Aiden for sending in the money they raised selling golf balls at Cedar Hill Golf Course.

And we have to salute our tireless performers, the Japanese school children’s dance and choir who have performed for and entertained so many people through our events under the leadership of Rina and Harumi senseis.

We are proud of the youngest generation showing the biggest hearts - our future looks like it is in good hands.

About the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group
The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan. The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS).

Media contact: Mike Abe Spokesperson,
Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon
Cell: (250) 704-6164 Email: info@vncs.ca or mkabe2011@gmail.com
Website: www.vncs.ca

Support Japan 2011  - Gambare Nippon
Fund raising campaign going strong.
Japanese Children’s Day Festival May 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2011 Victoria, BC

The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group held their third fundraiser, the Gambare Nippon Community Fair with Japanese entertainment, silent auction, Japanese food, craft, bake and giant garage sale at the Ecole Victor Brodeur on April 16th. The event raised more than $25,000 which included a donation from an anonymous donor who matched the first $10,000. All net proceeds will be directed to the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund.

The next event coincides with Children’s Day in Japan and will offer hands-on Japanese activities and entertainment for kids and the young at heart.

This Japanese Children’s Day Festival is a free event and will be held at the University Heights Mall, centre court on Saturday, May 7 from 11 am to 4 pm.

Kids will be given a passport and can do as many activities as they like, ranging from having their photo taken in a summer kimono or yukata, decorating their own pottery dish or bowl, making a bookmark with their name in Japanese to learning to make an origami crane or samurai hat.

They can decorate their own carp banner, which symbolizes strength and courage which are flown on Children’s Day in Japan and can also draw a picture and write a message to encourage and support the kids in Japan as part of a message video.

The highly successful t-shirt campaign also continues with over 6,000 Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon (Never Give Up, Japan) t-shirts sold. All net proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross and all net proceeds from donations collected from this event will go to the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund.

About the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group
The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan.  The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS).

Information for these events will be updated on www.vncs.ca
Media contact:  Mike Abe
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon 
Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com
Website: www.vncs.ca

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon
T-shirt Campaign surpasses goal and still going strong.
Sold out Gala Dinner overwhelming success.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2011 Victoria, BC

The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group held their second fundraiser to help their friends and families in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The Gala Dinner at Golden City Restaurant raised more than $20,000 for the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund.

The nine course dinner with entertainment and live auction raised $14,000 and they were delighted to have the Chinatown Lioness Club present a cheque for $5,000. Ballet Victoria and the wait staff at Golden City also contributed to the cause. The highlights of the live auction was a Westjet trip for two and a dinner for eight cooked by Takashi Ito of the Inn at Laurel Point.

This umbrella group, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon began their fundraising with an extensive t-shirt campaign. Gambare Japan appears in Japanese characters and means Never Give Up, Japan. The t-shirts sell for $10 with all net proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross. The goal was to sell 5,000 shirts. As of April 12, over 6,000 shirts have been sold and many schools and companies are selling them and the numbers continue to rise.

The next major event is the free Gambare Nippon Community Fair with silent auction, bake and craft sale and giant garage sale. There will also be Japanese cultural performances throughout the day and children’s activities and Japanese crafts for all ages. The event takes place at Ecole Victor Brodeur School on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 11 am – 4 pm.Children and adults can have their pictures taken in traditional yukata and kimono. All net proceeds from the event outside of shirt sales will go to the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund.

About the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group
The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan. The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS).

Other Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon fundraisers planned.
Children’s Day Festival community event Sat. May 7 University Heights Mall Free admission

Information for these events will be updated on www.vncs.ca
Media contact:  Michael Abe
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon  
Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com
Website: www.vncs.ca  

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon
Japanese Cultural Event and T-shirt campaign launch
at Hillside Centre a huge success!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2011, Victoria, BC
The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group held the first of several fundraising events to help their friends and families in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The first fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 26th at the Hillside Shopping Centre. The program included 5 hours of free cultural performances as well as Japanese craft activities for the general public. Over 1,100 t-shirts were sold, despite selling out of children sizes early. Over $6,000 in donations was raised for the Canadian Red Cross-Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami Fund. In total, over $14,500 in net proceeds was raised for the Canadian and Japanese Red Cross Associations.

This umbrella group, Support Japan 2011, Gambare Nippon began their fundraising with an extensive t-shirt campaign. Gambare Japan appears in Japanese characters and means Never Give Up, Japan. The t-shirts sell for $10 with all net proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross. The goal is to sell 5,000 shirts.

One of the main goals of the group is to thank the general public for the wonderful support of the Japanese community and the people of Japan by offering opportunities for the community to learn more about the country they are helping rebuild. To date, over 3,000 shirts have been sold and the group is just now working out arrangements for distribution to handle requests from people, schools, ministries and companies from communities throughout the island and possibly other parts of Canada. The next major events scheduled are Saturday, April 9, 2011 with a dinner gala fundraiser at Golden City Restaurant and another free community event with silent auction, bake and craft sale and entertainment at Ecole Victor Brodeur School on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

The Gala Dinner at the Golden City Restaurant will feature entertainment, including Ryan Narciso singing “Tears at My Door”, a tribute song for Japan written by Connie Dunwoody and Marlon Narciso. These local musicians were pleased to announce at the Hillside event that they have lent their song to be the theme song of the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon Group.

The evening will have other Japanese entertainment including traditional Minyo singing, an interactive raffle and live auction. Some auction items include dinner for 8 cooked at your own home by executive chef, Takashi Ito and hotel manager, Scott Hoadley of the Inn at Laurel Point Also up for bid is a travel package that includes a “Gift of Flight” tickets for two anywhere that Westjet flies. Tickets are $50 with a tax receipt for a portion of the ticket. Net proceeds will go to the Canadian and Japanese Red Cross Associations.

The free Community Event on Saturday, April 16 from 11 am-4 pm will feature cultural performances, bake and craft sale, silent auction and cultural activities for the whole family. This event will be held at the Ecole Victor Brodeur School, 637 Head Street in Esquimalt. Free parking.

About the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group

The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan. The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS).

Other Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon fundraisers planned.

Children’s Day Festival community event Saturday, May 7
University Heights Mall Free admission

Information for these events will be updated on www.vncs.ca

Media contact:  Michael Abe
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon  
Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com
Website: www.vncs.ca     

Support Japan 2011
Hope Love Japan Fundraiser
Sunday, March 27 · 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Parkside Victoria Resort and Spa
810 Humboldt Street
**Admission by donation**

VICTORIA, BC – In light of the recent disaster in Japan, a group of concerned citizens have joined forces with 4 of the Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria and launched a fundraising campaign. Several fundraising events will take place within the next month, under the same umbrella, Support Japan 2011 – Ganbare Nippon (which loosely means: Never give up Japan).

The HOPE LOVE JAPAN family-friendly daytime fundraising event hopes to raise $15,000. All proceeds willbe donated directly to the Canadian Red Cross, for exclusive relief efforts in Japan.

WHAT: HOPE LOVE JAPAN - an afternoon inspired by Japanese tradition, with music by Masako Hockey and Satomi Edwards, tea service and Japanese blessing. The afternoon will feature a silent auction, with incredible products and services donated by local businesses. There will also be a photo-booth set up with photographer Véronique da Silva, and a children’s craft area hosting a 1000 cranes for Japan craft project, as well as a Support Japan 2011 t-shirt sale.

WHEN: SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2011, FROM 1PM TO 5PM

WHERE: PARKSIDE VICTORIA RESORT AND SPA, ATRIUM
810 HUMBOLT STREET, VICTORIA BC

Media Contact: Yukari Peerless (250) 588-2082 yukari@yukaripeerless.ca
FACEBOOK PAGE: Hope Love Japan: Fundraising Event
TWITTER: @HopeLoveJapan

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon
Major fundraiser- Japanese Cultural Event and T-shirt campaign launch
Saturday, March 26, 2011 Hillside Centre 11am -4 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2011, Victoria, BC

The Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group will hold the first of several fundraising events to help their friends and families in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

This free community event will take place at centre court at the Hillside Shopping Centre on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. The program will feature a number of Japanese cultural performances including the Uminari Taiko drummers, Koto (Japanese harp), Shakuhachi (Japanese flute), Furusato Dancers, Japanese children’s choir and dancers, Shamisen (Japanese banjo) and Miny? singing (traditional Japanese blues).

Guest performers also include local Victorian musicians mc² featuring Ryan Narcisco singing their tribute song, Tears at My Door. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PjxqTozhs.

Victoria Symphony percussionist Masako Hockey will perform on the Marimba. And neighbours of the Japanese community Amber and Brian Chou wish to honour their friends through music on flute and clarinet.   

There will also be activities for everyone to enjoy. Learn to fold a paper crane and help build strands of 1,000 cranes which symbolize hope and the fulfillment of wishes. You can also learn to write the Japanese character for hope, love, peace or happiness and create your own personal lantern to help send your message to Japan.

This family oriented event is the local Japanese communities’ way of thanking everyone for their generous support in this time of need. It is an opportunity for people to learn a bit more about the country they are helping to rebuild. Members of the Japanese community who have recently returned from Japan will share their story and help understand the current situation.
 
This event also officially kicks off the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon t-shirt campaign. The T-shirts sell for $10 with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross.  The Japanese characters read “Gambare Nippon”, which means “Never give up, Japan!”  Even before the launch, over 1,200 have been sold. T-shirts are on sale at all of their upcoming fundraisers and at several locations around town including Hillside Centre, Silk Road Aromatherapy and Tea Company and Rocky Mountain Soap Company with more being planned after the launch.  Based on demand and interest, it is not inconceivable to set a goal of 5,000 shirts.

 
Cash donations are also welcome at this event and will be directed to the Canadian Red Cross – Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund.

About the Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon group.

The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan.  The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS).

Many individuals in the community have been moved to do something for the victims of the disaster in Japan. One such example is Marc Bolli, a local Victorian who is married to Midori from Japan and they own Mega Screen Productions, a print shop in Victoria.  They have two children, both who are bilingual and students in the VJHLSS. Marc and Midori’s close friend, Jackie Dogue and the VJHLSS designed the t-shirt and the slogan that this new umbrella group has embraced as their name and identity.

Other Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon fundraisers planned:

Gala Dinner Fundraiser Saturday, April 9
Golden City Restaurant               $50 per ticket  
Contact Barb Cameron at gaba@shaw.ca for tickets or to book a table.

Silent Auction, bake and craft sale and entertainment.  Saturday, April 16
Ecole Victor-Brodeur School      Free admission

Children’s Day Festival community event Saturday, May 7
University Heights Mall              Free admission
Information for these events will be updated on www.vncs.ca
 
Media contact:  Michael Abe
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon  
Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com
Website: www.vncs.ca       

Support Japan 2011 - Gambare Nippon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2011, Victoria, BC

The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations in Victoria have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan.  At a well-attended meeting on Wednesday evening (March 16, 2011), which began with a minute of silence to reflect on the situation in Japan, the four groups set out a course of action to work together to represent the Japanese community in the fundraising efforts for emergency relief for the victims of last week’s catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The groups’ respective Boards of Directors had already voted to pool their resources over the next few months to raise funds.

Members in each organization were affected deeply by the events in Japan.  Wanting to help, and having been contacted by local media to get the communities’ reactions to the disaster, the groups realized they should collaborate and work synergistically in order to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize returns. The meeting on Wednesday achieved this  - and more.

The organizations involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VHLSS). Each group has a unique mandate  -  but have worked with one or more of the other groups in the past to achieve a common goal. Representing a broad range of skills and talents, they are confident it will help make this group work efficiently.

Many individuals in the community have been moved to do something for the victims of the disaster in Japan. One such example is Marc Bolli, a local Victorian who is married to Midori from Japan and owns Mega Screen Productions, a print shop in Victoria.  They have two children, both who are bilingual and students in the VJHLSS. Even though Midori’s family in Toyama is safe because of the distance from the disaster, they wanted to do more to help. In addition to a personal donation, Marc and Midori’s close friend, Jackie Dogue and the VJHLSS designed a t-shirt and the following slogan that this new umbrella group has embraced as their name and identity.

Support Japan 2011

The Japanese characters read “Gambare Nippon”, which loosely means “Never give up, Japan!”  T-shirts will be on sale at all of their upcoming fundraisers and at several locations around town including Fujiya Foods, Silk Road Aromatherapy and Tea Company and Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

In the next few months, the Support Japan 2011 group will organize various events ranging from craft and bake sales to silent auctions, dinner functions and tea ceremonies to raise funds for the relief effort. The group will also help promote fundraisers by other groups where possible including student fundraisers at the University of Victoria and concerts by local musicians. The goal is to reach as many demographics and income levels as possible and to incorporate cultural aspects for the general public. We hope that Victorians can use the group as a resource to learn more about the country that they are helping rebuild.

In the short term the group will set up trust account at Island Savings Credit Union and will work through the Consul General of Japan in Vancouver, and organizations on the ground in Japan to ensure the most effective use of funds.

The group announced the dates and venues for their first three fund raising initiatives as well as acknowledging several other events from the groups’ individual members.

This coming Saturday, March 19, 2011, Uminari Taiko, a sister organization of the VNCS will hold taiko drum workshops by donation to the Canadian Red Cross.

On Saturday, March 26, 2011, from 11 am to 4 pm, the group will present a Community Event at the Hillside Centre with on-going cultural entertainment and activities, personal stories and paper crane folding symbolizing hope. People are invited to come down to make a donation, fold a crane, write a message and buy a coveted Support Japan 2011 t-shirt.

The group will hold a Dinner Gala at Golden City Restaurant with special Japanese cultural entertainment and a few surprises on Saturday, April 9.

Information for this event and for other upcoming events will be updated regularly on www.vncs.ca   If you are interested in volunteering, donating merchandise and products for raffles and silent auctions, please contact us at info@vncs.ca

Media contact:  Michael Abe
President, Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society

Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon

Cell:  (250) 704-6164
Email: info@vncs.ca  or mkabe2011@gmail.com

Website: www.vncs.ca