Aaron Wytze Wilson (right) with Bloor Collegiate students 

U of T’s Asia-Pacific Club (APC) wrapped up its week-long One Thousand Cranes for Japan fundraiser on Friday, April 1, after a week of crane folding in the lobby of Sidney Smith Hall.  Betty Xie and Aaron Wytze Wilson, APC club members and students in the Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies, spearheaded the project to show their support for Japan after the recent earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.  Their efforts yielded great success. The group raised a total of $1,076.22 to benefit the Canadian Red Cross (the funds will be earmarked for Japan), and folded an astounding 2,190 cranes.

But they didn’t do it alone.  In addition to the many students, faculty, and passersby who took part, the Asia-Pacific Club was joined on the project’s final day by 38 grade nine students from Bloor Collegiate Institute’s TOPS program. The high school students contributed $200 and over 200 cranes to the cause. Also in attendance was the Consul-General of Japan, Tetsuo Yamashita, and his expert origami-folding staff, who helped show students how to fold the paper cranes.

There is a Japanese legend that states that any person who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish. The cranes are often folded and strung together as a symbol of hope and peace in times of struggle. The Asian Institute wishes to thank everyone who participated or donated to the One Thousand Cranes Project.

Read More:

Faculty of Arts and Science 
U of T Bulletin Slideshow
Consulate General of Japan in Toronto