Salem Elementary Supports Japan

After the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, the students, faculty and parents of  recognized an overwhelming need to raise money to help those affected by the devastating effects of such an unimaginable natural disaster.

A small group of teachers and parents formed the Japan Relief Committee to put their heads together to fundraise as much money as possible.

The first event was "Lend a Hand to Japan."  All Salem students traced their hands and hung the drawings in the cafeteria to show their desire to reach out.  Students brought in money along with their hands and received an origami crane, folded by members of the Japanese community in Port Washington.  This event alone raised more than $1,800. 

Another fundraising event was a sushi workshop. Japanese members from the committee and other mothers from the community helped children make their favorite sushi after school on Thursday, May 5.  All sushi making materials were donated by , a Japanese food market on Main Street, and all the money collected to attend this workshop was donated to relief efforts to aid Japan.  This event brought in more than $250.

On Saturday, May 7, students and faculty of the are putting on the concert , from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  All ticket and food sales will go directly towards Japan relief.  We are hoping for a big turn out.

The last event that the Japan Relief Committee is organizing is Jump for Japan at Harborfest.  Please look for our booth in the Children's Section at Harborfest.  Submit a ticket and get timed to see how long you can jump.

The Japan Committee is so pleased at how well the fundraising is going.  We want to thank everyone in the community for supporting us.  We hope to see Japan rebuild quickly and hope in time their sorrows and losses will begin to subside.

Editor's Note: The writer of this article, Andrea Schieck, is a third grade teacher at South Salem Elementary School and member of the Japan Relief Committee. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer.