“Give a Gift of Warmth” – Kotatsu Donation Program

With the support of our generous alumni donors, the IACJapan group has begun a Tohoku donation program, "Give a Gift of Warmth," to deliver kotatsu sets to the temporary homes that are being built in hundreds of townships throughout the Tohoku region.

This donation program was initiated by the St. Mary’s Alumni Association via a generous donation of ¥2 million from Mr. George Tsai, St. Mary’s class of ’73.

The ¥2 million has been used to purchase 250 kotatsu sets with futon and shiki futon. We plan to purchase 350 more in September when the kotatsu season begins, with pledges for 250 more from George Tsai and another 100 kotatsu sets pledged by Mr. Jim Reed, St. Mary’s class of ’69.

The first 250 sets were delivered on July 2, 2011, to the temporary homes that have been built in the towns of Takahashi (38 kasetsu), Jonan (54 kasetsu) and Tsurugaya (158 kasetsu), Tagajoshi, all located close together northeast of Sendai. Many townships are building these homes, and so far there are 10,000 ready with more to come. We will deliver 350 more kotatsu in the fall, and we would like to invite people to donate to the cause to increase this number and help the survivors prepare for the harsh winter of Tohoku. The IACJapan group, together with Nishimachi International School and the Nishimachi-Kai, will also be contributing a portion of the proceeds from the Natsumatsuri held on June 18, 2011, to support this cause.

How to donate

If you would like to help, you may donate via bank transfer to:

Mitusubishi-Tokyo UFJ Bank
Meguro Ekimae Branch
Account No.: 1366973
Account Name: IAC Japan

三菱東京UFJ銀行
目黒駅前支店
口座番号: 1366973
口座名: ｱｲｴｲｼｰｼﾞｬﾊﾟﾝ

Donation amount: ¥8,000 per kotatsu set (includes shipping to Tohoku)

Stay tuned for more from the IACJapan group and from your alumni association. We thank you for your kindness and generosity, and hope you can "Give a Gift of Warmth" to a family in Tohoku!

Paul Guilfoile
Chief Soulman

IACJapan