APR 12 – Support Japan 2011 – Gambare Nippon! News Release #4
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.
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
