Japan Relief Fair at Whiteley exceeds expectations

The Japan Relief Fair hosted April 2 by Japanese families from across District 15 raised $10,286.26 to benefit the American Red Cross as it works to support those in need after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.

More than 300 people attended the fair, which was held at Frank C. Whiteley School in Hoffman Estates.

“It far exceeded our expectations in every way,” said Mary Szuch, Whiteley's principal.

The event, which was manned by about 150 volunteers from throughout the Whiteley and District 15 community, provided those guests with a variety of ways to contribute to the good cause.

For instance, small donations allowed them to play Japanese games, participate in a traditional tea ceremony, and dress in a kimono. A donation of $1 bought a bookmark with their name written in Japanese, $2 bought an origami lesson, while $3 allowed guests to grab a miniature fishing pole and catch crawfish from a wading pool.

They could even buy food and drink. For just $1, they could grab a pair of chopsticks and use them to make their selections from a container filled with candy. A $2 donation bought them an order of rice balls. Six California rolls cost $3.

Proceeds from all sales went to the Red Cross, and all of the fairs' offerings were donated by 40 families of Japanese students who attend Whiteley and approximately 35 other Japanese families from across District 15. Those families worked with Yuko Nakagawa, a bilingual teacher at Whiteley and a native of Japan, to organize the fair.

“We're so proud of these families for coming together to plan this outreach effort, and we're incredibly grateful for all that they, themselves, contributed to make it such an incredible success,” said Mrs. Szuch.

Mrs. Szuch added that the Japan Relief Fair isn't the only project the Whiteley community will undertake to aid Japan. She said she anticipates the school will soon identify and adopt a Japanese community in need, and begin working to help it directly.

-- Story submitted by Community Consolidated School District 15