"Flight of Hope" raises more than $3,300 to aid Japan
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Origami cranes were displayed in University Commons Final Update April 11: More than $3,300 was raised by the Flight of Hope campaign at SUNY Fredonia. Update April 1: The Flight of Hope Committee is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to the effort to fold 3,000 cranes for our sister institutions in Japan. Through the concerted effort of a diligent group of volunteers, assemblages of 1,000 cranes each will be able to wing their way to our sister universities in Japan as a symbol of hope and concern as the nation works to recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Donations via the web will continue through the weekend. --Committee members: |
The devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, along with on-going nuclear plant concerns, caused much death, destruction, and suffering.
In a gesture of support, a campus committee composed of Cheryl Drout, Joyce Smith, Saori Sagala, and Amy Beers has arranged with the Red Cross to collect funds on our campus that will be used in the relief effort for Japan.
The easiest way to make a contribution is to go to FLIGHT OF HOPE and make a donation online. Electronic donations will be accepted through Thursday, March 31.
Alternatively, tables will be placed in the Williams Center on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accept cash or check donations payable to Fredonia College Foundation.
This fund-raising effort has been named Fredonia’s “Flight of Hope” because every donation will result in the folding of a separate origami crane, which will be placed on display in University Commons from Wednesday, March 23 through Thursday, March 31. On Friday, April 1, all cranes will be packaged and sent to our three partner universities in Japan.
The committee is hoping to send 1,000 origami cranes to our three partner universities. The Japanese Crane, the largest of all cranes, and the number 1,000 have special significance. “Today.... (in Japan, the) practice of folding 1,000 cranes represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times. After the September 11 events, as a gesture of support and healing, thousands of cranes were folded and linked together in chains and sent to fire and police stations, museums, and churches throughout New York City.” Our campus will be demonstrating its support through two actions: making financial donations and folding/mailing the origami cranes.
Anyone interested in volunteering to fold origami cranes should contact Coordinator of Volunteer and Community Services, Joyce Smith, at joyce.smith@fredonia.edu or 716-673-3690.
