Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School is currently working very hard on three projects to raise money for Japanese relief efforts.

“We will probably reach our goals because people actually care about this,” said Milana Leskobac, a Grade 9 student.

In response to the crisis situation overseas, Lindsay Thurber has taken on a number of initiatives to raise funds, awareness and show support for the people of Japan.

“A few of us made rice balls and gave them out for free, but people were paying $5 and $10 in donations,” said Catherine Ford, a Grade 12 student.

One of the projects students have been working on is an origami paper crane display. The cranes are culturally relevant to Japanese people as a symbol of the wish, hope or prayer of the sender.

Each student is folding a crane with the words ‘Ganbare Nippon’ on them, which loosely translates to mean hope, perseverance, patience and doing what you need to do in times of need.

As well as being a symbol of encouragement, the cranes will trigger a donation of $2 per crane to Architecture for Humanity’s reconstruction efforts from the Bezos Family Foundation.

“We are going to go to different businesses during spring break and ask if they would donate a dollar amount per crane and donate it to their choice of charity based in Japan,” said Ford.

Currently, Lindsay Thurber students have made 3,400 paper cranes, and are aiming to complete 3,500.

Along with the cranes, students will be taking part in a ‘grade challenge’ to raise money to support relief efforts.

One student in particular, Michael Madsen, has donated $570 to date.

“I put $20 into the Grade 11 container. I also donated $90 for a bag of popcorn today,” said Madsen.

Each grade will receive points for the coins they donate, and can sabotage the opposing teams by donating bills into their containers.

Lastly, Lindsay Thurber students will be taking part in an art sale organized with donated arts and crafts for purchase with all proceeds going to Japan.

The art sale will take place at The Hub on May 6th.

“One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go to Japan because The Hub has donated the space, everyone is volunteering to staff it, entertainers have volunteered and the art is donated,” said David See, a Grade 12 student.

For more information visit lindsaythurber.rdpsd.ab.ca