Marin Academy Concert Benefit for Japan Earthquake Victims Tonight

Students at Marin Academy are putting on a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. to raise money for victims of Japan’s recent earthquake.

“These events move out of the headlines after a while, and we want to spread awareness,” Marin Academy Japanese teacher Hideko Akashi said.

The fundraiser will feature music by San Francisco Taiko Dojo, Marin Academy Taiko and others. Many restaurants and businesses, such as in San Rafael, donated gift certificates for a raffle.  Additional donations will be accepted and all the proceeds will go to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

Two summers ago, students from the Japanese class spent two weeks at their sister school in Tokyo. Half the time was spent with host families and the other half was at the school itself.  Marin Academy students also host Japanese students at their homes, as part of the exchange, according to Akashi.

When the 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit near the east coast of Honshu on March 11, approximately 220 miles from Tokyo, many Marin Academy students began to contact their host families and friends via Facebook to see if they were all right. Although the damage at the school is unknown, all the families checked in as safe, Akashi said.

On March 20, the official number of dead or missing people in Japan was 20,000. The Northern Japan Earthquaek Relief Fund will distribute money raised to the most affected regions and provide supplies, such as food, water and blankets, to those in need.

The fundraiser is located in the Marin Academy Gymnasium. Tickets are $10 at the door.