Community Corner

Fundraising Dinner to Benefit Tsunami Victims

Local residents from Japan are teaming up to raise money to help the victims in Japan.

Since the , Japan has been put to the test for perseverance and tenacity. Especially in the areas where the tsunami washed away countless lives and memories, the young and the old are having to rebuild from the ground up. Giving up is simply not an option, and as a Japanese citizen, I feel grateful for all the support we have received from across the world.

The 9.0-magnitude earthquake smashed buildings to the ground, and the tsunami swallowed the entire coast of Sendai within minutes before our eyes. 

Although experts have said people in Japan are trained for earthquakes, I doubt anyone could have ever prepared for a disaster this catastrophic.

Find out what's happening in Gig Harborwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I was born in Tokyo and lived in the Chiba prefecture until I was 7 years old. While growing up in the U.S., I would visit Japan every few years to spend time with my family and friends.

One summer, I experienced my worst earthquake while visiting Japan. I was laying on the couch when all of the sudden I noticed my entire body being tossed sideways. 

Find out what's happening in Gig Harborwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At first, I thought a large truck had just driven past the house. However, as soon as I saw the light fixtures swaying above me, I remember diving under the coffee table and calling frantically for "Oka-san," which means mother in Japanese.

While I ducked for cover, I could hear the entire house shaking. Picture frames crashed down from the piano. The water splashed loudly in the bathtub. It's the worst feeling of uncertainty.

Even after the earthquake, the entire event replays in your mind, and the slightest aftershock can trigger panic and nausea.

And that was just from a magnitude-4.0 quake.

What the people in Japan experienced on March 11 is beyond my imagination.

The victims are still sifting through debris and searching tirelessly for what was once their home. While the National Police Agency of Japan is estimating more than 22,000 deaths or people missing as of March 22, survivors are waiting patiently to be reunited with their loved ones. 

Despite such destruction in the country, I continue to be impressed with how composed and civil the people are in Japan. One Patch reader emailed me this inspiring quote: "Gaman (pronounced gah-mah-nn)--A Japanese word that means patience, endurance and perseverance. The creed the Japanese live by. Japan is suffering horribly, and they are still maintaining their dignity and remaining calm through it all. We, Americans, can learn a HUGE lesson from this."

Even with the possibility of exposure to toxic nuclear chemicals, rolling blackouts to conserve energy, and daily aftershocks that could be as strong as 6.0-magnitude, the people wait quietly in lines to receive food and supplies from relief groups. 

While it's incredibly heartbreaking to watch my home country in a such disarray, I know we have to keep moving forward. In efforts to help the country get back on its feet, I've volunteered to assist with the fundraising event with some of the most inspiring Japanese women in Gig Harbor.

Harumi Ginsberg has been making rounds to local businesses for any donations to help raise money for the victims.

Her friend, Azusa Hirasawa, and her husband, Michele Simone, have generously agreed to open their restaurant, Il Lucano Ristorante Italiano, on Monday, March 28, to host a fundraising dinner to benefit the victims in Japan. Hirasawa grew up in Hachioji, Tokyo, where her mother, sister and niece still live. Ginsberg is from Akishima, just five miles from Hachioji.

The eatery on Judson Street, which is usually closed Mondays, will be offering dinner for anyone who stops in from 4:30 to 9 p.m. All proceeds from the meals will go to the American Red Cross to help with the relief efforts.

The following businesses have already donated toward the cause:

We hope to see you at Il Lucano Ristorante Italiano, 3119 Judson St., on March 28. 

If you would like to donated items for the raffle, please contact Harumi Ginsberg at 253-225-5677 or harumiginsberg@comcast.net.

***Due to an overwhelming response from the community, the restaurant will not be taking additional reservations for Monday night.***


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Gig Harbor