Southern Adventist University students are working to create a local groundswell of financial support for Japan's long road to relief and recovery.
"We're hoping to raise awareness on campus; then the outside will see that and hopefully donate," said Sam Shin.
Students will have the opportunity to buy wristbands and T-shirts in the coming weeks, and the public can donate to a designated account for tax-deductible donations by visiting www.southern.edu/give.
Members of SAU's Japanese Club are helping raise funds and awareness for the hard-hit island nation's recovery.Benefits on campus have already raised more than $5,000, causing the fundraising crew of Asian Club, Student Association and Campus Ministries members to increase their target goal.
"Japan is an island by itself, so we really need others to support [it]," said Makiko Suzuki, one of seven Japanese students who attend SAU.
She moved here three years ago. Her parents and brother are still in Japan.
"I'm really proud of what they're doing," she said in reference to her countrymen. "There isn't much chaos there. From what I hear they are not fighting over anything. They always prioritize the elders. People living in non-affected areas are trying to help by not using their lights even though they could."
Relief workers in Japan are using techniques practiced with SAU social work professor and activist Sharon Pittman several weeks ago.
"They were just doing scenarios like 'what would you do if this happened?' Little did they know within two weeks they'd have the opportunity to work with that," said SAU spokesperson Rainey Park.
Suzuki acknowledged that the road to recovery will be long, but she said there is an end in sight.
"I do hear stories from them that even though it's really gradual, they are recovering," she said. "We have experienced the war, some other earthquakes, and we have recovered each time in the past. I think we do have the resiliency and the strength to recover."
However, no one has the expectancy that everything will be the way it was. SAU professor Gary Horinouchi said the whole eastern coast could be uninhabitable due to nuclear radiation. Horinouchi, an audiovisual manager, was scheduled to visit Japan March 13 on a trip sponsored by Panasonic.
"Thank goodness," he said of his changed plans. He now hopes to help bring the country some relief.
"Our goal is really to help people at their needs, but also to spread God's love," Horinouchi said. This could be a good opportunity."