New Brunswick Fundraising Campaign Yields $21,000 for Japanese Sister City

Following Sept. 11,  2011, New Brunswick received a $15,000 donation from an unusual source: the city of Tsuruoka, Japan.

On Wednesday, New Brunswick returned the favor with a $21,000 donation that will be put toward children orphaned in the tsunami and earthquake that devastated Japan in March.

The two cities have been joined together in a "Sister Cities' partnership since 1960. Started by president Dwight D. Eisenhower, the purpose of the nonprofit program is to partner cities around the world to learn about each other through exchange programs and international networking, for the purpose of promoting tolerance.

New Brunswick also has sister city partnerships with Fukui, Japan, Limerick County, Ireland and Debrecen, Hungary.

Mayor James Cahill said the deluge of information from the earthquake and tsunami has brought the world together.

"We've never been so close and connected to the rest of the world, it seems,'' he said.

The $21,000 donation was amassed from a large number of donors, including the city public schools, local restaurants and organizations, city employees and Rutgers University.

"The donation at that time (Sept. 11) let us know that we will not face adversities alone,'' Cahill said.

Wednesday's donation sends a message that the people of Tsuruoka will also not walk alone, he said.

Tsuruoka mayor Masaki Enomoto has decided the $21,000 would benefit the Ashinaga-Ikueikai Charity for the purpose of providing relief to children orphaned in the March tsunami and earthquake, according to the city.

In addition to the check, New Brunswick high school teacher Dawn Cuccolo presented the mayor and the Sister Cities Association with three bundles of 1,000 paper cranes each. According to Japanese tradition, if someone receives 1,000 paper cranes, their wishes will come true, said Jane Tublin, director of international programs.

Michael Tublin, a member of the New Brunswick Sister Cities Association, has traveled to Tsuruoka twice as a representative of the program, and said he felt real connections to the people of Japan, despite a language barrier. 

"(There is a) genuine warmth and honor they convey to you,'' he said.

For more information on the New Brunswick Sister Cities Association, call 732-745-5174, or email tublinjane@yahoo.com