A month after the earthquake and tsunami hit Sendai, Japan, the Model United Nations club at CSU East Bay has raised over $2,400 with a donation drive for the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

The Model United Nations Club and the Japanese language program will donate the money to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), who will use it to help those in need in Japan.

Through fundraisers, the JCCCNC has managed to raise over one million dollars for food and supplies that will be sent to Japan along with volunteers to deliver and distribute them.

Guests were also taught how to fold paper cranes with origami paper, to be donated to the Paper Cranes for Japan movement. The cranes will be woven into an art piece, and for every crane, $2 will be donated to Architecture for Humanity, which is assisting in reconstruction efforts in Japan.

The club’s advisor, CSUEB international studies professor Dr. Bowen, and alumnus Shuya Shinohara, organized the event.

The event was held in the University Union last Tuesday, where guests were treated to Japanese-inspired foods, activities and martial arts performances.

The first presentation was by Chikako, a black belt Karate practitioner. She started by performing two kata (forms)—the seienchin and the seipai. She followed up with a weapon exhibition using a bow staff.

The second performance was a short sparring match between Shuya Shinohara, a CSUEB alumnus, and his partner. The pair also went through some Kendo katas.

Last, guests witnessed a Judo exhibition performed by Akiko, a black belt in the art. To conclude the festivities, Akiko demonstrated a few common throws and chokes as performed on Shinohara.

A raffle ended the night on a jovial note, with many prizes, including T-shirts, Japanese candies, ornate stationary, and silk-screened calligraphy.

Even though the event was the final night of CSUEB’s donation drive for the relief event, a donation box will be outside MB2005 every Monday and Wednesday from 12:00-1:30 p.m. for as long as donations keep coming in.