DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA

The Chico Japan Friendship Club would like thank you very much for your generous contributions to our fundraising effort to assist Japan to recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The radiation threats of the nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture added a dire dimension and unprecedented challenge to the Japanese people and to the rest of world. All of us are affected one way or another by what has transpired in Japan since March 11, 2011.

Thanks to your generosity we were able to raise $20,817.41 which was donated to the Northeastern Chapter of the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross will forward the funds to the Japan Red Cross for distribution to the affected areas of northeastern Japan.

We had three aims in raising money for the victims of March 11, 2011: 1) to offer you something in exchange for your donations; 2) to keep Japan in your hearts and minds after media attention had faded; 3) and to find a way for local Japanese and friends of Japan to use their energy and talent to help.

Your good will no doubt touch the Japanese people through both the American Red Cross and the Japan Red Cross. Above all, you have contributed to the bonds between Chico and Japan to keep alive the good of humankind. In Japanese, the word for bonds is expressed as 絆 (pronounced as "kizuna"), and we wish to keep this "kizuna" alive into the future.

We met many people who have stories of travel in Japan, who have Japanese friends and who just care about Japan. We plan to continue activities related to the friendship between Chico and Japan. Please watch for our autumn lecture series, Japanese Chat and more. Join us on Facebook and check out our calendar on this site.

Thank you, Chico, so much for the kindness for Japan.

The Chico Japan Friendship Club

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