Asia Society Washington Raises $75,000 For Japan
Center, CityZens Restaurant come together for disaster victims
WASHINGTON DC, April 19, 2011 - Asia Society Washington, in conjunction with Eric Ziebold from CityZens Restaurant and Relief International, has helped raise $75,000 to help victims of the March tsunami in Japan through "Cityzens for Japan," a benefit dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington.
Asia Society Washington Corporate and Individual Members alone raised $31,000, with additional funds coming from the sale of items sold at both the silent and live auctions.
The Honorable Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan, addressed the audience at the beginning of the evening and thanked the audience for their generosity in helping the Japanese people. Responding to the humanitarian assistance offered by many countries, "As this tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear accident happened a little over one month ago, we have been heartened by the good will from people and countries around the world."
The Ambassador mentioned that he had just arrived from Japan less than three hours before the event, having just met with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce Tom Donahue, who pledged US and corporate support for Japan.
Ambassador Fujisaki described the situation in Japan as being a "real tough fight," with more than 13,000 dead and over 100,000 people out of their homes. With regard to the crisis at Fukushima Power Plant, he commented that "we are coping with this nuclear reactor issue every day." In closing, he stated that he was grateful for the "massive assistance" offered by the American people to the country of Japan.
Featuring food from some of the best Japanese restaurants in Washington, including CityZen, Taro, Kushi: Izakaya & Sushi, and SEI, the event offered a range of culinary choices including "shrimp mousse with spring vegetables salad and green garlic coulis." Auction items featured a dinner for eight prepared in your home by award-winning CityZen Chef Eric Ziebold and Cityzen Sous Chef Makoto, limited edition Japenese MAC cooking knives, and a culinary vacation package to Northern California wine country.
All of the money raised from this event will go to Relief International, which is aiding victims of the disaster by providing much-needed food and medical supplies.
Multimedia: Photo highlights and Ambassador Fujisaki's remarks at the April 19 benefit (3 min., 53 sec.)
Reported By Adrian Stover, Asia Society Washington