Lincoln Elementary Folds Cranes, Raises $2,468 Money For Japan

On Wednesday afternoon, more than 150 students and parents from the community brought together their ready hands and origami paper for a crane folding fundraiser benefiting Japan earthquake relief efforts.

“Cranes are…a special, sacred creature symbol in the Japanese culture,” said second grade teacher Susan Seki. “It’s believed if you make a thousand cranes…it brings good luck.”

For each of the 1,234 cranes folded during the hour-long afternoon session, the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 towards the rebuilding of the area devastated by last month’s earthquake in Japan.

The school asked for volunteers to donate paper and origami skills to the fundraiser, which took place in the Multi Purpose Room from 3 to 4 p.m.

Seki said the cranes will be sent to Students Rebuild, an initiative of the Bezos Family Foundation focusing on young people. Once the cranes are received, they will become part of an artwork incorporating all the cranes collected from around the world and presented as a gift to the Japanese youth affected by the earthquake.

Seki said she had hoped for at least 100 folders and around 400 cranes to match the student population at Lincoln, but got many more. She said she hopes the students learn about the importance of helping others through this experience.

“I think helping people in need is the message,” she said. “Whether you know them or not—this is halfway around the world—they will be helping people, they will be giving to people.”