Lake Ridge Girl Scouts raise funds for Japanese tsunami relief

More than 200 Girl Scouts and their families in Lake Ridge, Va. raised more than $1400 for Japan earthquake and tsunami relief at a recent event at Antietam Elementary School, after National Capital Area Girl Scout Council temporarily suspended its policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations.
Japan was hit March 11 by the largest quake in at least 100 years, followed by massive tsunamis striking its coastal cities. Thousands have died and many more have been displaced.
The Girl Scout Council was quoted in a news release as saying, “At times like these, Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood to help those in need.”
Troop 1297 leader Janet Morrison, one of the organizers, was quoted as saying, “The girls all wanted to do something for the victims and help in some way.” Scouts and other participants visited activity stations where they were able to write a card to a Japanese girl scout and have their name written in kanji; relax in the Zen garden; try some Japanese focused word searches and crossword puzzles; taste various kinds of sushi; watch a naginata demonstration; have a photo taken in a kimono or judo gi or with the naginata-ka in armor; learn about nuclear reactors and nuclear power, earth science, earthquakes & tsunamis; and learn to fold various forms of origami (Japanese paper art). Each participant will receive a special patch.
Kevin Tamai, a parent and Japanese American, who helped to organize the event was quoted as saying, “The idea was to give the participants a fun and informational night to learn about Japan, its culture and what happened.”
Read more in the May 11 edition of the Old Bridge Observer.