Locals Lend Helping Hand to Japan

A growing number of Harrison groups, charitable organizations and individual residents are organizing a neighborhood tag sale this weekend with all proceeds going toward Japanese families affected by the recent devastating earthquake.

The sale's proceeds will be donated toward local Japanese groups as well as the American Red Cross. It will take place in the on Halstead Avenue on March 27. Interested parties can buy donated goods or make a donation directly to the American Red Cross.

Volunteers will spend this week collecting and organizing the donated goods for sale.

"It's becoming a beautiful community event to help our Japanese residents in Harrison, because so many were affected," said Ada Angarano, president of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce, which will help sponsor the event. "It's a wonderful thing that is evolving from a tragedy."

Cash donations will be donated locally while larger checks will go to the Red Cross. The event is also sponsored by the Harrison Rotary Club and the Newcomers Club, a local organization that teaches English to Harrison residents from Japan.

Harumi Yamani, an organizer with the Newcomers Club, said that her family is in Tokyo but still feeling the affects of the quake and tsunami. She said that there are several Harrison families with close ones directly affected by the disaster.

"The food, the water and everything (was affected)," Yamani said. "Now the whole of Japan is having a big problem."

Dr. Allan Bruckheim, retired president of the Harrison Rotary Club, has been working with Angarano since late last week to put the fundraiser together. The two have been rapidly publicizing, planning and organizing the event. They are asking residents to do their spring cleaning this week and donate anything they can.

Local merchants are also chipping in, creating banners and making other contributions free of charge. Fraiolo & Quigley Moving Co. will also be donating a truck and driver to move donations too large for people to move themselves. If you would like to use this service send an e-mail to aef174@aol.com.

The community tag sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone interested in donating goods to the cause can bring belongings to the veterans building from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week. Pick-ups can be made on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. but must be scheduled in advance.

For more information on how to donate contact The Harrison Chamber of Commerce at 914-835-7039.

Editor's Note: Due to scheduling issues the start time for this event was changed to 10 a.m. The article now reflects this change.