As aid and help from all over the world makes it way to Japan after the massive earthquakes and tsunamis, a local group has come together to try and raise money to help. Michiyo Adachi, Sanae Tihor, Haruka Furukawa and Haru Watanabe have asked some local businesses to place a handmade collection box in their stores. The group is expecting to have boxes in at least eight stores with commitments already received from Gerry’s Gelati, Black Star Studio, Peppi’s, Fubuki Sushi and AG Valley Foods The group will also be out in Invermere at AG Valley Foods on March 19 and Sobeys on the 20. They will be at both grocery stores from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The group is trying to do what they can and all have a personal connection to what has happened in Japan.

“Still some of our families are missing and it is the biggest disaster since World War II so we wanted to do something to help,” said Watanabe whose fiancee’s grandmother was still missing when the newspaper went to print. They are not sure how much money they will raise but are hoping people will give what they can to help. “Any small amount will help,” Watanabe said. For more information contact Haru Watanabe at 250-270-2048.