There’s a watery 5,000 miles of Pacific Ocean separating the
Garlic Capital from Japan, but distance hasn’t deterred Gilroyans
from practicing some bighearted neighborliness
– even if it’s one penny at a time.
There’s a watery 5,000 miles of Pacific Ocean separating the Garlic Capital from Japan, but distance hasn’t deterred Gilroyans from practicing some bighearted neighborliness – even if it’s one penny at a time.
“When I saw it on the news, the first thing I thought was, ‘we have to do something in leadership,’ ” said Gilroy High School
Senior Brittany Smith, 17. “I pitched the idea to the ASB class for donating to the American Red Cross, and everyone jumped right on board.”
Smith is commissioner of clubs for the Associated Student Body, and said ASB students decided to launch a collection of money for all victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
“On Monday I got about six dollars,” she said.
Even though they’re off to a humble start, Smith pointed out every little bit counts – especially in light of Gilroy’s tight-knit relationship with sister city Takko-Machi – a lush, mountainous city roughly 250 miles inland from Japan’s coastline.
Smith is one of the many students who has participated in the Gilroy-Takko Student Exchange Program, an organization that’s been sending Gilroy Unified School District sophomores and juniors to Takko-Machi during the summer months for the past 20 years. The popular program allows GUSD students to become enmeshed in Japanese culture, traditions and lifestyles, while strengthening a transcontinental relationship and forming new friendships.
“I had an amazing time,” said Smith as she manned the donation table near the gym at GHS during lunch Wednesday.
Smith, who made the journey to Takko-Machi in June 2010, said her trip left a lasting impression.
“I fell in love with everything there … I loved the green mountains encasing the entire community.”
Thinking about all that was destroyed in Japan, and the negative repercussions resulting from the tsunami and earthquake, she said, was a frightening nightmare to ponder.
Currently there are about 50 donation cans in circulation throughout the school, Smith said. Many have been placed in classrooms and the administrative offices, and ASB is asking all parents, staff and students to donate whatever spare change – or larger amounts, if they wish – during the next two weeks. The money will go directly to an American Red Cross fund designated specifically for Japan’s tsunami/earthquake crisis.
Philanthropic plays
GHS isn’t alone when it comes to pitching in and helping out overseas.
Since the gargantuan 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan at 2:46 p.m. Japan standard time March 11, a number of Gilroy venues have rallied toward the cause.
Today students at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School at 7121 Grenache Way will put on their opening performance of “Murder on the Mary Dear,” with all revenue generated by the $5 ticket cost matched by Ascencion’s student council.
“This will be our first kickoff event for efforts to support the victims in Japan,” said Principal Salvatore Tomasello, who explained more ideas were in the mix.
Tomasello said the 45 student actors in the play have been preparing for their debut for the past several months.
The play will be held at 3:30 p.m. today in the multipurpose room at Solorsano, which Tomasello added has been transformed into a cruise ship. There will also be performances at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission for the matinee is $6 and admission for the evening performance is $10.
Philanthropy and theater is certainly a recurring trend, here, as students at Rucker Elementary School are doing their part as well.
Rucker thespians will be performing their own version a classic children’s tale, called “Little Red Riding Hood – REDefined,” with a percentage of ticket revenues from this weekend’s shows going to Japan.
Skye McCaw, writer/director of Rucker Theatre Arts, said she’ll also be setting up a donation box.
Performances will take place 6:30 p.m. today and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
All performances will be held at Rucker Elementary School at 325 Santa Clara Ave.
Tickets for public performances are $5 at the door for adults and $3 for children.
Benevolent Businesses
If you’re not in the mood to see a play, the opportunity to help out will conveniently present itself next time you’re picking up groceries.
Raley’s, which owns Nob Hill Foods, 777 First St., announced Monday customers can give to Japan disaster relief during checkout. For anyone who donates to the cause, 100 percent of their contributions will go directly to the American Red Cross to bolster traumatized regions.
“The key thing is that 100 percent of donations go directly to the Red Cross,” said John Segale, spokesman for Raley’s. “Raley’s will absorb all administrative costs.”
The opportunity to give at Nob Hill Foods will continue through April 18, Segale said.
Mimi’s Cafe at 6935 Camino Arroyo also donated 15 percent of all sales Wednesday to the Japan relief effort.
Shift Manager Teri Morales wanted to remind the public that any other groups wishing to promote fundraising through Mimi’s should contact her at the restaurant.
“We’ll make the fliers,” she said. “We’re always looking to host more fundraising groups.”
Members of the local Rotary chapter won’t be left in the dust, either.
The Rotary Foundation has established the Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands Disaster Fund, which will support long-term recovery projects in affected areas.
Rotarians and non-Rotarians can donate online at rotary.org.
How to help
– Gilroy High School is holding a change drive for American Red Cross. Nonstudents can make out checks to the American Red Cross and GHS will forward those donations to the American Red Cross on the donors’ behalf
– “Murder on the Mary Dear;” 3:30 p.m. today; Ascencion Solorsano Middle School at 7121 Grenache Way; $5
– “Little Red Riding Hood – REDefined” at Rucker Elementary School at 325 Santa Clara Ave; performances will take place 6:30 p.m. Friday, and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Another round of performances will also take place the following week at 6:30 p.m. March 18 and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 19.$5 for adults; $3 for children
– Donate during checkout when you shop at Nob Hill, 777 First St.
– Nonprofits can call Teri Morales at 842-4043 to organize a fundraiser hosted by Mimi’s Cafe 6935 Camino Arroyo
– Rotarians and non-Rotarians can donate online to Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands Disaster Fund toward long-term recovery efforts at rotary.org
– Text 90999 from your cell phone and type Red Cross to charge an additional $10 through your phone company. You can also call 1 (800) Red Cross or go to redcross.org to donate online.
