Springfieldians are stepping up following the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Many Springfieldians are not aware that, after the 9/11 attacks on New York City, our Sister City of Isesaki, Japan, collected funds and sent them to us with the message, “You are closer. Please send this to where it can best be used.”  We immediately forwarded the money to relief agencies in New York.

Later, when Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast, the people of Isesaki again raised funds and sent them here to Springfield with the message, “Please deliver these funds where they can best be used.”  The money was forwarded to the American Red Cross.

And, finally, when we had our own mini-disaster—the ice storm four years ago—Isesaki again came through for their Sister City.  They sent 9 Master Gardeners and raised the bulk of $17,000 to help rebuild the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

Now it is our turn.

Ironically, the earthquake occurred the day before the Springfield Sister Cities Association conducted its annual meeting.  An impromptu “passing of the bucket” netted over $1600 in contributions for Japanese relief efforts.  The organization then partnered with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to handle the funds and transfer them to Isesaki.  The CFO also contributed $1500 to the fund.

Japanese students at Drury University began collecting money on their campus for another relief agency and, when invited, joined the Sister Cities effort as well.

Students at MSU have begun a “$30,000 in 30 Days” campaign and are also attempting to raise $5000 for the Sister Cities fund for Isesaki as well.

The Summit Prep School, when they return from spring break next week, will begin a “Collect the Coins” campaign where all grades in the private elementary school can participate in raising money.  Service learning is an integral part of the Summit curriculum and students are learning at an early age to assist those in need.

Nakato’s Japanese Restaurant has agreed to donate 100% of its revenue from the coming Monday evening to the Sister Cities Japanese Relief Fund.  While the folks at Nakato’s say they can work people in, we’re asking folks to make reservations because we fully intend to fill every seat all evening!  Thanks to the great folks at Nakato’s.

Finally, Mike MacPherson, lead singer for the rockabilly band “Revolver,” is putting together a musical fund-raiser at Lindberg’s Bar on April 6.  Two bands, Revolver and Kellswater, have both represented Springfield and the United States at the Isesaki Summer Music Festival.  They will be joined by young singing sensation Leia and Lindberg’s is donating the proceeds, again to the Sister Cities fund.

It is truly gratifying to see so many different groups getting involved in the fund-raising effort for our Sister City.  While Isesaki was rocked pretty hard by the earthquake, it suffered only minor damage and no deaths. 

One of the beauties of Sister Cities is that, over the 25 years of the relationship, a level of trust and affection has been built up.  This trust is what allowed the folks of Isesaki to send fund to Springfield to be forwarded to where they would do the most good.

And it is this same trust and friendship that provides the basis for our sending the collected funds to Isesaki to be put to use where they most need it in their country.  The motto of Sister Cities is “Peace Through People.”  While we cannot give them peace of mind or heart right now in Japan—that will be a long time coming—we can allay some of their suffering and homelessness and give them hope and the knowledge that their friends will step up in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake.

To Mayor Igarashi, Deputy Mayor Murai, and my friends Mayumi, Masa-1, Masa-2, Mr. Kubota, our host family the Nishimuras, and all the other friends we made in Japan, including the eight-year-old girl drummers I met at the festival:  Please know this—we’ve got your back.