When we first thought about what an appropriate monetary goal for this project should be, we really had no idea what was possible. We tossed figures around until we arrived at our $5,000 goal, which we thought was challenging yet obtainable.
Well, it’s been exactly one month since the big BBBC event day and our kind and generous friends and family are still donating money through our donation site: www.biwabottleboat.com. And, we have not only reached our goal, but completely smashed it! As of the writing of this, our grand total is $8,486 (¥651,366 or £5,178), simply amazing!!!! Even though we have greatly surpassed our goal, we have decided to push on and reach for the stars! We hope to at least double our goal by raising $10,000!
There aren’t enough words or space on this page to convey our deep gratitude to everyone who has shown their amazing support for this project. Just thinking about how much we all, as one big team, have changed the lives of the orphans of Tohoku brings tears of joy to our eyes. It’s because of you that these children will go on to live safe, healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives. This project not only raised money, but brought together people from all walks and from all corners of the globe. It has stirred up awareness and created friendships that will continue for years to come. We are truly honored and humbled to be a part of such a wonderful family.
-Photo from the BBBC event day. Thanks to all who were able to join us on that amazing day!
We’d like to share a message from the Tohoku Kids’ Project that tells what your donations have helped to buy… “Since April 2011, our organization has been working with 19 children’s homes in Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima prefectures… Based on personal communications with homes, and completed needs assessment surveys by many of the home directors, we have been able to learn about many needs and have purchased and arranged for the delivery of the following for Summer 2011 across the 3 prefectures:
- 5 day overnight summer camp (English Adventures) in Saitama for 15 children from 1 Tohoku home (August 8-12)
- 3 day music therapy workshop in Tokyo for 15 children from 2 Tohoku homes (August 22-24)
- 19 lunch boxes
- 2 Geiger counters
- 10 AM/FM emergency radios
- 5 LED torches
- 24 electric wall fans
- 30 thermoses
- 7 PCs
- 1 printer
- 9 TVs
- 7 DVD players
- 15 tricycles
- 7 softball gloves
- 2 softball bats
- 2 rubber ball bats
- 1 golf set
- 13 basketballs
- 4 tennis rackets
- 30 tennis balls
- 2 volleyball kneepads
- 13 soccer balls
- 4 soccer goals
The above is just the beginning of our organization’s support plans for children’s homes in Tohoku… once this first phase of (mostly) ‘tier one’ support is carried out, our organization will look to deliver more enriching-type programs such as more camps, snowboarding trips, arts therapy workshops, yoga classes, tutoring and computer labs through 2011 and well into 2012.”
Thank you all again and stay tuned for more updates!














