CFO, students partner with Sister Cities for Japan relief

Community Foundations of the Ozarks has offered to match the Springfield Sister Cities Association's initial membership collection of $1,500 raised March 11 at its annual membership meeting to benefit Japan. Additionally, students from Missouri State University, Drury University and the Summit Preparatory School of Southwest Missouri also have begun efforts to aid the cause.

CFO has signed on to funnel donations to the SSCA Japan Relief Fund, according to an SSCA news release.

Tax-deductible donations can be made in two ways:

• *with a check made out to Sister Cities Japan Relief Fund and mailed to The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, 425 E. Trafficway St., Springfield, Mo., 65806; or
• *on the CFO Web site, by entering Sister Cities Japan Relief Fund into the fund/program box.

All donations will aid Springfield's sister city of Isesaki, which has a population of about 209,000. The city is located inland near Maebashi.

A group of MSU students operating as Bears Bringing Hope: Illuminating Japan has committed to raising $5,000 for the Sister Cities fund. Another MSU group has partnered with Convoy of Hope and is attempting to raise $30,000 in 30 days by utilizing fundraising concerts, bucket donations and sponsoring an April 15 Springfield Cardinals game.

Drury University International Students Association has already collected more than $900 for the Nippon Foundation and will continue its efforts to aid the Sister Cities fund, the release said. 

Summit Preparatory School will be collecting and saving coins for the fund as part of its service-oriented curriculum, said Springfield City Councilman Bob Stephens, who serves on the Springfield Sister Cities Board.

An 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's coast near midnight CST on March 10. Aftershocks followed and have caused blackouts, fire and tsunami damage.[[In-content Ad]]