Community Corner
Families Band Together to Aid Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Survivors
Multi-family garage sale runs from May 13 - 15 with 100 percent of proceeds going towards relief efforts.
On March 11, an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan killing tens of thousands and causing billions of dollars in damage. Nearly 9,000 miles away, a group of twenty four Japanese families banded together on a mission to help in any way they could.
“The idea of a multi-family garage sale came up and we all agreed this was a good idea,” Hiroko Kishi, Naperville resident and relief effort organizer said. “We had to see what we could do to help in any way.”
Last month the group held a garage sale to help the victims affected by the disaster. After raising approximately $1,600, all of which went to relief efforts, the group decided to try again.
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If you missed the first garage sale to aid the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, you now have another chance. Beginning this Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Japan Relief Multiple Family Garage Sale, located at 818 S. Loomis Street, Naperville, will once again be open for business.
As with any large undertaking, organizing the garage sale took a bit of effort, particularly when it involved twenty four partners.
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“It was a little bit hard to get it going,” Kishi said. “I won’t say it was easy because so many people have so many different ideas. A friend of mine organized the first garage sale, so for me, to organize this second one, it was definitely easier.”
Kishi said that in addition to “pretty much all the household items,” the garage sale will offer a wide array of items including children’s and adult clothes, toys, electrical appliances, books, DVDs and much more. “We will also have cookies and lemonade on Friday,” she added.
The garage sale will take place rain or shine, but with 100% of the proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross, Kishi said she is “keeping her fingers crossed” for good weather.
“We are just a small group of Japanese people getting together to try to help,” Kishi said. “For me it is a little personal though. My parents, brother and sister-in-law all live in Japan and my aunt lives in Sendai, one of the places hardest hit. They are all ok but I feel I have to do something to help as best I can.”
