Students organize fundraiser for Japan quake victims

Elon University students started a fundraising drive this week to aid victims of the March earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. The same students are gathering messages of support from the community that will be translated into Japanese and delivered abroad to survivors whose lives have been upended by the natural disasters.

Elon freshman Taylor Reneau, left, contributed the a fundraising drive that will benefit the Red Cross in Japan. Student volunteers collecting the gifts on Monday morning included (behind table, from left) junior Anastasia Windeler, junior Holly Taylor and sophomore Junko Aoyama.

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of this week, students from the Japanese learning community, the Japanese Club, international students from Japan, and students in the Japanese language program will be collecting donations from their classmates who pass a table they’ve reserved in the Moseley Center.

Students are also visiting classrooms to share information from several discussions about the best ways to raise money for their cause. All donations will benefit the Red Cross in Japan.

“We want to show those who are struggling right now that people all over the world care for them and have them in their thoughts and prayers,” said Junko Aoyama, a sophomore from Tokyo who volunteered Monday morning at the Moseley Center table.

Students wishing to make cash donations can still visit the table from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, or Thursday, March 31.