Methodist students join together to help raise funds for Japan relief efforts
Written by Ashley Young - News Editor | 
A devastating 9.0 earthquake clamored the northeastern coast of Japan at 2:46p.m. Japan Standard Time on March 11. The quake triggered a massive tsunami wave more than 33 feet in height and struck Japan just minutes after the quake, sending off evacuations all across the Pacific Ocean and generating a nuclear plant crisis.
The earthquake and tsunami left thousands in Japan injured, homeless or missing and millions more without clean water, electricity or transportation. Many children were in school during the earthquake and tsunami and are now being taken in by organizations like the Children’s Village Fukuoka until they can be reunited with their families or a more permanent solution can be established.
Organizations like the Red Cross, International Medical Corps, Unicef and Save the Children have come together to raise money and relief efforts to assist in any way possible.
Here at Methodist,
Jose Pablo Salas, a senior, global studies major and president of the International Club, came up with the idea of joining the International Club along with campus ministries and the Japanese community of Fayetteville to raise money to go to relief efforts in Japan. Salas is good friends with Kiho Mushiga, who is originally from Osaka, Japan and is a graduate student here at Methodist working towards her MBA. Salas and Mushiga decided to start a fundraiser through a bake sale and the selling of magnets, which began on Tuesday, April 22 and ran through Thursday April 24, from 11 am to 2 pm every day.
“So far, I think it’s going great! We’ve had support from many people and it’s great to see how the Methodist community responds to disaster relief,” said Salas.
The first day of the bake sale raised 355 dollars and by Wednesday, 700 dollars had been raised.
“We set up a goal of 1,000 dollars and this is going to be the last day of the bake sale here at Methodist,” said Nariko Addaman, a member of the Japanese community who is from Okinawa, Japan. “We are doing a bake sale on base and hopefully we’ll reach that goal.”
The Japanese community of Fayetteville along with the International Club at Methodist set up a bake sale at Fort Bragg, Friday March 25, but the final amount raised is not yet known.
Campus ministries will be collecting monetary donations for relief efforts in Japan.
“Campus ministries will aid the International Club in getting the funds raised disseminated to the most needed areas in Japan,” said Donna Wilson, Director of Campus Ministry and administrative services.
Salas said that support is still needed and the Red Cross can still be donated to by contacting him at 561-843-4818 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by contacting Michael Safley, who is Vice President for University Relations and Campus Ministry, at 910-630-7515 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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