This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Students Rally to Raise Disaster Relief

At CSUN, they're collecting donations for the Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.

“The Japanese people really don’t ask for money. It’s not in their nature," said Dr. Aki Hirota, Japanese section head at California State University, Northridge. "I cannot personally ask for money.”

But the need is great following the recent magnitude-9 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor crisis.

Student Miri Ichikawa and other members of CSUN’s Japanese Student Association (JSA) rallied to raise money for the disaster-ravaged country by asking for donations on campus to send to the Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund of the American Red Cross.  (11355 Ohio Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025, Phone: 800-627-7000.)

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The JSA is handing out wristbands for a $3 donation, according to Ichikawa, JSA president. The group also asked students on the CSUN campus to write a message to the Japanese people that they would then send overseas to boost the Japanese people’s spirits.

Ailee Plunkett, JSA vice president, reached out to her boss at Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt at 10186 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, to host a donation box that has already attracted more than $400. The shop will also donate 20 percent of purchases made until March 28.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I get to see many people who want to help,” said Plunkett, who lived in Japan from age 2 to 18.

Even though Plunkett’s family lives thousands of miles away from heavily damaged  Northern Japan, she felt a great sense of community after she set up the little donation box Monday.

“No matter where they’re from, I see everyone come in and donate,” Plunkett said. “Even if it is a penny, it is nice to see.”

Almost all of the members of CSUN’s JSA have family members in Japan. Ichikawa repeatedly tried to reach her parents in southern Japan until her mother finally picked up the phone confirming the family's safety.

The group’s advisor, Dr. Hirota, of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, was also greatly concerned.

However, Hirota said that she would not take part in seeking donations. She said that she supports the students’ desire to do so, especially since this may be the world’s most costly natural disaster.

JSA is working with other CSU campuses to create “Students for Japan” with the parent group “Hope for Japan.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?