March 17, 2011 – Mayor Jim Suttle is encouraging Omaha residents to work with the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA) in collecting donations on behalf of Shizouka for relief efforts underway in neighboring Japanese communities. “Our sister city, Shizuoka, was spared from the devastation caused by the earthquakes and tsunami north of their community, but are reaching out to friends for help in providing assistance to other cities in the region who were not as fortunate,” said Celann LaGreca, President of OSCA.
“I have been greatly concerned and sadden by the tragedies in Japan,” said Mayor Suttle. “Although the Mayor of Shizuoka, Zenkichi Kojima, assured me this week that his residents are safe, we offered our encouragement and support to them and those in need throughout their country.”
Mayor Jim Suttle with Shizuoka City Council President Nubuo & Shizuoka Vice-Mayor Shimizu on their Visit to Omaha in 2010
The Shizuoka Committee of OSCA is providing the people of Omaha, interested in contributing to relief efforts in Japan, a way to provide humanitarian assistance. The Omaha Sister City Association is authorized to collect checks for a tax-deductible donation that will be exchanged into yen and mailed directly to the Japanese Red Cross on Wednesday, April 13. OSCA is asking individuals to make their checks out to the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA) marked “for Japan” and mail them to OSCA, P.O. Box 241693, Omaha, NE 68124.
Last week the Omaha Sister Cities Association received the 2011 International Humanitarian Assistance Award as a result of its goodwill project to donate and ship two refurbished ambulances and stretchers to the Omaha sister city of Xalapa, Mexico.
