Please Note: The Japan Love and BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Bokinbako campaign has come to an end. All Bokinbako should be returned to our offices by April 30, 2011 for the final tally of funds raised. If you have a Bokinbako and would like it to be picked up, please email contact [at] bc-jerf.ca.
Japan Love campaign poster
On March 12, one day following the earthquake in Japan, the BC Japanese Students Network (BCJSN) mobilized their members and attracted over 3000 Facebook fans to their cause: to raise money to help victims of the disaster in Japan. The BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, a group only hours old and formed from the Lower Mainland’s most respected Japanese community organizations, lent Japan Love their credibility and support to expand the campaign.
Japan Love volunteers campaign in Downtown Vancouver March 16, 2011
Within days BC-JERF and Japan Love had city permits and homemade bokinbako in hand and were on the streets of Downtown Vancouver appealing for support; by this time their Facebook fanbase had grown to over 8000. Vancouver’s residents answered, and reached deep in their pockets; the amount raised by this simple street campaign has been staggering.
Japan Love and the BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund - all proceeds go to the Red Cross.
The Bokinbako campaign now includes both Japan Love and BC-JERF boxes and has expanded from Downtown to include Oakridge and Metrotown malls. Over 100 boxes have also been installed throughout the community – at restaurants, businesses, and in schools – and will continue to be present throughout the month of April. We thank you for supporting Japan in their time of great need.
Please Note: The Japan Love and BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Bokinbako campaign has come to an end. All Bokinbako should be returned to our offices by April 30, 2011 for the final tally of funds raised. If you have a Bokinbako and would like it to be picked up, please email contact [at] bc-jerf.ca.
Bokinbako (Donation Boxes) at Metrotown Mall