Mayor McGlynn Urges Residents to Help Japan

Nobeoka Residents Helping Friends, Family in Devastated Areas

Medford High School students Sarah Mason and Will Durney with Japanese exchange students Masaya Yano and Yuri Hiroki. The four students participated in an exchange program sponsored by the Medford Rotary Club where Medford students spend time in Nobeoka, Japan, and Nobeoka students live with a host family in Medford. Photo courtesy Doug Shoop, Rotary Club president.

Mayor Michael J. McGlynn urged residents to help those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan last week by making donations to the American Red Cross.

“Since 1980, Medford has been sister city’s with Nobeoka, Japan, and so all of us feel a most special kinship with our friends in Japan. Nobeoka was not hit by the earthquake or tsunami as Nobeoka is located quite south in Japan, but they have been working to send aid and assistance to their fellow citizens.

According to Nobeoka Mayor Masaharu Sudo’s office, “there have been controlled power cuts around the Tokyo area, in order to conserve some power to supply to the affected regions. It is cold in the north east (where the quake/tsunami hit) at this time of year, so it is an ongoing challenge to keep those who have been evacuated warm and dry. However, the Japanese people are pulling together and have been extremely moved by the response from around the globe.”

“Mayor Sudo’s office requested that we all continue to pray for those who have been affected by this tragedy and for those who are carrying out rescue operations. For those who are interested, donations can be made to the American Red Cross at redcross.org. There are additional ways to help as numerous organizations have mobilized to help the Japanese victims including: NetHope , a collaboration of the world’s leading humanitarian response organizations to support aid agencies in the region, (NetHope.org), World Vision, which is also coordinating response efforts for Japan (WorldVision.org) , Save the Children is responding to needs of children and families in the area (SavetheChildren.org) as well as, the International Medical Corps who is responding to the health needs of the disaster victims, (Internationalmedicalcorps.org). Please visit their websites for more information,” said the Mayor.

– Information from Mayor McGlynn’s office