Students at Middle Tennessee State University will collect donations on campus Wednesday and Thursday, March 23-24, and Monday and Tuesday, March 28-29, to help the Japanese people as they struggle to recover from the March 11 earthquake and the resulting tsunami and to cope with the ongoing nuclear crisis.

“Genki for Japan” will be conducted on the Keathley University Center (KUC) knoll if the weather is good. In the event of inclement weather, donations will be accepted in the KUC second-floor lobby. Contributions also may be made at Starbucks in the James E. Walker Library.

“’Genki’ means vigor and energy, and that is what we are praying that Japan gets back in abundance to get through this very difficult time,” says Dr. Priya Ananth, assistant professor of foreign languages.

Chiaki Shima, a graduate teaching assistant, and Risa Nakamoto, an exchange student from Kansai Gaidai University, are the main organizers of the event.

“Your help can go a long way in encouraging and providing hope for the people in Japan,” says Rhonda Waller, director of Education Abroad and Student Exchange. “With the pocket change that you plan to spend on a simple soda, wouldn’t it be more satisfying knowing that you contributed to a great cause?”

On Tuesday, March 29, students will give away candy and snacks made in Japan in exchange for modest donations. All donations will be sent to the American Red Cross. For more information, contact Ananth at 615-898-5357 or pananth@mtsu.edu.

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Good Feet and Soles4Souls are asking that people stop by any participating Good Feet Store location (visit www.goodfeet.com/locations) or visit www.giveshoes.org to find the nearest shoe drop-off location and donate as many new or gently worn pairs of shoes as they can spare.

Why donate shoes?

Shoes are a personal item that protect from disease, reduce injuries and provide hope that things are going to get better. 

A natural disaster like the one in Japan immediately creates situations of extreme poverty, greater risk for disease and terrible feelings of hopelessness. Providing shoes that protect people from disease and give them a sense of hope and caring can help to speed up the recovery process and make it possible for the Japanese people to dream beyond their current situation and remind them that they are loved and cared about.

If you’re interested in supporting Good Feet and Soles4Souls’ relief efforts, stop by a participating Good Feet Store.

To financially sponsor a new pair of shoes from your laptop or smart phone, text the word “SHOES” to 20222 to donate $5 now.