(WSBT photo) |
Around the world, people have been watching the devastation in Japan and asking "How do I help?" A local senior living center is hoping a Japanese legend will help them help Japan.
Mary Ellen Handwork is making an origami crane. But it is more than just a crane. It comes with prayers and hope too.
"I spent a lot of time in Japan," said Handwork, "I came as close to living there as you can get without living there."
Handwork lives at the Sanctuary at St. Paul in South Bend. She has a dear friend who lives in Japan. Her friend survived the earthquake, but now Handwork is worried about the nuclear problems.
"They were living in Tokyo. So you have some idea of how close they were to it," says Handwork.
That is why Handwork and other residents here are trying to build as many origami cranes as possible.
"There is a Japanese legend that if you fold 1,000 cranes a wish or a prayer will come true," said Chaplain Colleen Lee.
The goal at the senior living center is 1,000. Each one costs a dollar. The money raised will go to the Red Cross's disaster relief effort. The prayers, will go to Japan.
"My prayer and our prayer is that we can rebuild and they can come and build their society and have strength to keep going. Even when it seems tough," said Lee.
And while the residents at Sanctuary of St. Paul may not have the ability to go to Japan, they can still help their friends on the other side of the world.
You can help them raise money by adopting a crane of your own. You can stop by the senior living center and learn how to fold, or just send money.
The home is located at 3602 South Ironwood Drive South Bend, IN 46614-2453. Their phone number is (574) 299-2250.
Mary Ellen Handwork is making an origami crane. But it is more than just a crane. It comes with prayers and hope too.
"I spent a lot of time in Japan," said Handwork, "I came as close to living there as you can get without living there."
Handwork lives at the Sanctuary at St. Paul in South Bend. She has a dear friend who lives in Japan. Her friend survived the earthquake, but now Handwork is worried about the nuclear problems.
"They were living in Tokyo. So you have some idea of how close they were to it," says Handwork.
That is why Handwork and other residents here are trying to build as many origami cranes as possible.
"There is a Japanese legend that if you fold 1,000 cranes a wish or a prayer will come true," said Chaplain Colleen Lee.
The goal at the senior living center is 1,000. Each one costs a dollar. The money raised will go to the Red Cross's disaster relief effort. The prayers, will go to Japan.
"My prayer and our prayer is that we can rebuild and they can come and build their society and have strength to keep going. Even when it seems tough," said Lee.
And while the residents at Sanctuary of St. Paul may not have the ability to go to Japan, they can still help their friends on the other side of the world.
You can help them raise money by adopting a crane of your own. You can stop by the senior living center and learn how to fold, or just send money.
The home is located at 3602 South Ironwood Drive South Bend, IN 46614-2453. Their phone number is (574) 299-2250.
