Support Japan 2011 – Gambare Nippon! News Release #2
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.
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 頑張れ日本 (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 joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan.
The organizations that were involved are the Japanese Friendship Society (JFS), Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VHLSS), Victoria Morioka Friendship Society (VMFS) and the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS).
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 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
President, Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society
Spokesperson, Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon
Cell: (250) 704-6164
Email: or
Website: www.vncs.ca
