Perkiomen Valley Family Among Those Working to Help Those Affected by Earthquake in Japan

Moved by the news and images coming out of Japan since March 11, local Japanese American residents collected $5,600 for the American Red Cross during their fundraiser at the Montgomery Mall this past Saturday afternoon.

Nobuko Lapreziosa organized the event within three days, and more than 10 parents and children stood between the Gap and Helzberg Diamonds stores on the mall's second level. Skippack Elementary third grader Genki Ozawa and his mother, Yumie, were among the volunteers. Participants signed and wrote messages on a Japanese flag, which will be sent along with the donations.

"You’re powerless here,"  Lapreziosa said. Along with the money, "We can send a message to the Japanese people over there that everybody’s supporting them," she said.

North Penn School District eighth-grader Joe Calabotta, 14, echoed the sentiment that a message of support is as important the money.

“Every day (on the news) I see families that are devastated because they see their (loved ones) dying or dead. I really feel bad them. I want to give them a little hope from America; people from around the world care about them. Hope is just one thing that they really need right now,” Calabotta said. The teen is also working on his own project, "Stand Up for Japan," in which he will sell bracelets to help with the relief efforts. He said the bracelets will cost "$3 or more, because it's a donation," and all of the profits will go to the Japanese Red Cross.

At the mall, nearby Macy's employees and bags-laden shoppers dug into their purses, pockets and wallets and forked over bills--and in one case, a check--for the collection boxes and received either an origami crane or paper airplane (made by Genki) as thanks for their donations.

Genki said the news from Japan was "really scary," but he feels good that kids like him will be helped by fundraiser.

"Let's help together," he said.