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Kai Okitsu involved with Operation Hope for Japan, a fundraising initiative helping those affected by the Japanese earthquakes and tsunami
IRVING, Texas - In wake of the devastating Mar. 11, 2011, 8.9-magnitude earthquake, which ravaged Japan with a 30-foot tsunami, University of Dallas assistant athletic trainer Kaita 'Kai' Okitsu has joined forces with UD students to raise awareness and collect donations for Operation Hope for Japan so that the needs of victims will be better supported.
Born and raised in Japan, Kai decided to become involved with the nonprofit organization (NPO) via his friend and fellow Japanese native -- Tetsuya Hasegawa – the founder of Operation Hope for Japan. Hasegawa resides in Rockwell, Texas.
Currently, Hasegawa, his partners and numerous volunteers are working together selling wristbands, designing t-shirts to raise awareness, and collecting water bottles. Hasegawa wants to create a way to connect the people in his community that wish to help with those who are on the ground in Japan meeting the needs.
Kai has helped Hasegawa's message resonate well within the University of Dallas community. In spreading the word about Operation Hope for Japan, Kai said he has received $656.28 in donations, thus far, in part by selling $10 wristbands and t-shirts at select UD athletic events and the Haggar University Center.
In his relief efforts, Kai is very appreciative of the UD Athletic Department, the Martial Arts club, and of the students who have helped him man the Operation Hope for Japan booth during the aforementioned fundraising endeavors.
"I had help from Caroline Watanabe, Christina Gardner, Varea Costello, Bethany Roessler, Kylie Yoshimura and Dylan Myers," Kai said.
With numerous aftershocks wreaking even more havoc in Japan, and a lengthy clean-up and rebuilding process in the undertaking, Kai said he will continue collecting donations until things have settled down abroad.
“We would like to use our donations to send supplies to victims," Kai said. "There are supplies being collected all over Japan to provide the needs of victims, however, there is not enough money to send those supplies. Unfortunately, these supplies are now sitting at the collection centers and not actually getting out.”
In seeking to solve this problem, Kai said 100-percent of the financial support they receive will be used for transportation fees, allowing supplies to reach those in need.
"We will send money to an NPO in Japan called Yuimed," Kai said. "Then, they will use the money we have collected, promptly."
Those wishing to make a donation should contact Kai at kokitsu@udallas.edu or (972) 265-5772. Donations may also be made directly on the organization's website by clicking here.
Of note, a banner has been affixed to the bottom right portion of udallasathletics.com for persons wishing to donate at a later date. Kai and Dallas Athletics thank you for your support.
About Operation Hope for Japan:
This organization relies on people donating both their time and/or money. Our goal is to use 100-percent of the donations we collect to help the victims of Japan.
We believe we can make a difference by providing comfort to the victims of the tsunami and earthquake by understanding and meeting their basic needs. (water, food, blankets, electricity, and supplies such as baby diapers, flash lights, batteries, etc)
None of this would be possible without people like you coming together for a great cause. We wish to show the people of Japan that we care about what happened, and want to continue to support them as they recover.
