SeattleJapanRelief organizations hold community gathering

in response to Japan earthquake, tsunami

Seattle Japan Relief will hold a special community gathering and ceremony this Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Seattle Center’s Kobe Bell and north lawn area by the Seattle Fountain.

It's a chance for the local Seattle community, particularly our Japanese and Japanese American community, to come together in response to the terrible earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

There will be short remarks from several community leaders and elected officials, including Consul General Kiyokazu Ota, Governor Christine Gregoire, Congressman Jim McDermott and Seattle Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith; prayers for those who are struggling as a result of this crisis and for those whose loved ones have perished or are still missing led by Reverend Taijo Imanaka of the Seattle Koyasan Buddhist Temple; and a chance for participants to ring the Kobe Bell in honor of our Japanese friends and families and in remembrance of those who have perished.

Organizers will have donation tables for the Red Cross, Peace Winds America and YMCA where people can make donations to the relief effort, as well as stations for people to write messages to the Japanese people which will be sent to Japan.

The Kobe Bell is a gift from Seattle's oldest sister city of Kobe, Japan, given in 1962 in honor of the World's Fair. The Kobe Bell has been a gathering place for Seattleites to remember the Kobe earthquake disaster of 1995 for the past sixteen years.

SeattleJapanRelief is a collaboration of Japanese American and Japan related cultural, educational, and civic organizations standing together to promote relief and recovery following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. Learn about all the organizations and donate at www.seattlejapanrelief.org

This event is generously sponsored by Seattle Center.

Please review map of the Seattle Center Grounds HERE.