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Thanks to Osaka<\/a> JET Cailin Arena<\/strong>\u00a0for letting us know about this:<\/em><\/p>\n From Miyagi<\/a> JET alum Monique Moloney<\/strong>: \u00a0“Here is the press release (and photos) for the fundraiser in Hong Kong on April 16. It was a great way to connect with the Japanese community in Hong Kong and to put our energy towards a positive outcome for Miyagi.”<\/p>\n ********************<\/p>\n FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n Former Miyagi<\/a> Residents Raise Funds\u00a0Through Hong Kong Event<\/strong><\/p>\n Hong Kong – 25th April, 2011<\/p>\n Two former residents of Miyagi Prefecture have pooled the creative expertise of\u00a0five photographers\u00a0in a silent photographic auction in Hong Kong\u00a0to raise money for the March 11 earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.<\/p>\n The event entitled “Kampai for Sendai” was held on Saturday, April 16 at Shore Restaurant and Bar and was attended by approximately\u00a0180 people.\u00a0The silent auction of distinctly Japanese photographs including 13 original mounts and three canvassed photographs,\u00a0was the main focus of the evening. Additional funds were raised through the live auction of\u00a0Simone Legno autographed\u00a0Tokidoki<\/a>\u00a0merchandise and the sale of raffle tickets.<\/p>\n The total amount raised\u00a0from the event\u00a0was\u00a0HK$30697 (US$3950). 100% of\u00a0these funds were be\u00a0donated to\u00a0Peace Winds Japan<\/a>\u00a0andShine Humanity<\/a>, two non-government organisations that have been highly visible in Miyagi Prefecture\u00a0and are committed to using all designated funds for the Japan relief effort.<\/p>\n The event organizers, Monique Moloney<\/strong> and Matt Jones<\/strong>, both Australian nationals living in Hong Kong,\u00a0were\u00a0Assistant Language Teachers\u00a0on the\u00a0JET Programme<\/a>\u00a0in Miyagi Prefecture between 2003-2006.\u00a0Having maintained\u00a0strong connections\u00a0with their former home, they were deeply affected by the devastation and suffering\u00a0in\u00a0communities where\u00a0they’d often visited and fondly remembered. Their reaction was to organise an event that could raise awareness and\u00a0funds in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n Through online groups, Monique found photographers who were willing to contribute their work to the cause. She also connected with other former JET participants who were living in Hong Kong. These people helped promote the event and attended to show their support.<\/p>\n “We may have moved on but we haven’t forgotten our friends in Miyagi Prefecture. It was our turn to give back for the kindness and good will we were shown during our time there.”<\/p>\n