The Niigata Galveston Committee Raised \3,178,954 (Apprx. US $30,000) for Hurricane Ike Disaster Relief

From October of 2008 to January 2009, The Niigata Galveston Committee raised \１，６７８，９５４ through a charity auction and street-level fundraising. In addition, Niigata City added \１，000,000 to the fund, and the Niigata Galveston Committee added an additional \500,000 from its own budget. Altogether, the people of Niigata raised a total of \3,178,954 for their brothers and sisters in Galveston.

Niigata Galveston Committee Chairman Kazunori Yoda, and Niigata City International Affairs Division Director Rieko Ishizuka personally travelled to Galveston to present the funds, and convey their warm regards. While in Galveston they presented the donation certificate to Mayor Pro Tem Danny Weber, inspected the recovery situation, and attended gatherings with members of the Galveston Niigata Committee where they were warmly received.

Patricia Bolton Legg representing the Galveston Niigata Committee (1st person from the left).
Niigata Galveston Committee Chariman Yoda presenting the donation certificate.
Mayor Pro Tem Danny Weber receiving the donation certificate and shaking hands with Ishizuk Rieko, Niigata City International Affairs Division Director.
Members of the Galveston Niigata Club gathered together at Galveston City Hall.
　
Damage from Hurricane Ike

Flooding within the city.
Piles of debris.
Furniture that was washed into the streets.
A yacht was swept into the middle of this neighborhood.
Fallen trees line the roadway.

Another yacht that was swept far inland.
Trees damaged by seawater flooding.
Debris piled up alongside the road.
The first diner to reopen after the hurricane. Alright!
Office furniture piled up in front of a bank.

A word from Ishizuka Rieko, Director of the Niigata City Foreign Affairs Division: The Strength of Galveston.
On April 21 I visited Galveston together with Chairman Yoda. Patricia Bolton-Legg, the chair of the Galveston Niigata Club, Gilbert Zamora, and many other friends of Niigata greeted us warmly. With regards to the donations from Niigata, the many people I met in Galveston were exceedingly gracious.
　A party was thrown by the Galveston Niigata Club on the last night of our stay. Sharon, a teacher at Ball High School who was seated next to me, told me how in the hurricane she lost her collection of 30 volumes of "Peanuts", which had been autographed by Charles Schultz. Lucy, a former gas company employee, spoke with sadness about the destruction of her church. It will not likely be rebuilt .It became apparent to me that, even 7 months after the hurricane, virtually everyone in Galveston was still feeling the impact of the storm on their daily lives, and continuing to suffer in some way. Still, I was deeply impressed that despite it all, they were filled with hope and determination--to rebuild their lives, and their city.
Director Ishizuka Rieko and Chairman Kazunori Yoda

Organizers： Niigata Galveston Sister City Committee & the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Sponsors (In no particular order)：　Continental Airlines, Albirex Niigata, The Niigata Albirex Baseball Club, Niigata Albirex Basketball, Dekky 401, Chuo Event Lease
With Assistance From: The City of Niigata

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