Mobile Teams Up with Community Foundation of South Alabama on Relief Fund for Sister-City, Ichihara, Japan

Mar 17th, 2011

www.compassionateheartsforichihara.com
www.communityendowment.com

In the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Mayor Sam Jones and The Community Foundation of South Alabama, President and CEO, Tom Davis are teaming up to urge citizens to join them in supporting a relief fund for victims in Ichihara, Japan, Mobile’s Sister-City.

The mayor, along with the City Council, has proclaimed Friday, March 18 as “Ichihara Day,” urging donors to open their hearts and pocketbooks to aid the victims of Japan, specifically Ichihara, a rural city located on Tokyo Bay, 21 miles from Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture with a population of 279,080.

“Mobile has had a great social and cultural exchange with Ichihara. This is a proud city, which has a celebrated relationship with Mobile. They have helped us when we needed it. It is now time for Mobile to help them,” Mayor Jones said. “Our deepest condolences and prayers are extended to all of Japan.”

The Community Foundation of South Alabama, founded in 1976, is a tax-exempt, nonprofit foundation that assists individuals, families, corporations and nonprofit organizations with charitable giving. The Foundation currently works with over 400 charitable funds, tailoring each one to meet unique charitable interests.

“The magnitude of the disaster in Japan serves as a reminder of how precious life is and how quickly our lives can change due to tragic events,” said Thomas Davis, CEO for The Community Foundation of South Alabama. “The city of Ichihara provided disaster assistance to our community during the Gulf oil spill and Katrina; now they need our help. By working together, we can provide the resources they need to recover from this catastrophe.”

A charitable fund has been set up at The Community Foundation entitled, Mobile, Alabama’s Sister City, Ichihara, Japan Relief Fund. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to The Community Foundation of South Alabama at P.O. Box 990, Mobile, AL 36601 or you can make an online donation at www.communityendowment.com.

Mayor Jones office has contacted the Japanese Embassy in Washington to assist the city and the Foundation in getting the monetary donations to the city of Ichihara.

Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan and Mobile, Alabama, USA became sister Cities on November 10, 1993.

Other fundraisers for Ichihara:
The Mobile Ichihara Sister City Association will host a "Compassionate Hearts for Ichihara," a family and children's day on Sunday, March 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm at Springhill Memorial Hospital's Wallace Auditorium. The event will include Japanese food and music. Items such as wristbands and t-shirts will be sold with the proceeds benefiting the people of Ichihara, Japan. Admission is free. Please visit www.compassionateheartsforichihara.com.