Students, faculty and parents at Bothell’s Evergreen Academy recently sponsored a silent auction to raise funds for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan, raising a total of $3,218.

“Our hope was not only to raise money, but also to help educate our students on the importance of helping others,” said Amy Kuchta, first-grade teacher at Evergreen Academy. “Hopefully, our thoughts – and the funds raised – will help make a difference.”

In addition, students and teachers combined to make 1,000 paper origami cranes, in line with the Japanese belief that making 1,000 cranes will make a wish come true. The cranes were displayed at the auction.

Kuchta’s students each wrote a letter to the Reporter explaining the significance of the auction, making cranes, and helping a country in need. Below are excerpts:

“I am a first grader and I am six years old. My school that I go to is called Evergreen Academy. At my school we had a silent auction and we raised $3,218. That is a lot! Why we raised that much money is because Japan had an earthquake and a tsunami and all the stores and homes got blown away. That’s why my whole entire class and school is making cranes. We made almost 1,000! The legend says you get a wish if you make 1,000 cranes. I wish the people in Japan would build new houses for them to live (in) so they could have a good life.” – Tiwa Daramola

“We raised $3,218 for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. They need a lot of help, food and money because some people got hurt and can’t get help. I feel sad for Japan and their loss – so let’s help Japan.” – Samantha Pollard

“I feel happy that we are helping Japan. We also made 1,000 origami cranes because a Japanese legend says if you make 1,000 cranes, you can have a wish come true. Our wish was to help Japan.” – Abby Kearny

Evergreen Academy, located at 16017 118th Place Northeast in Bothell, is a private elementary school serving kindergarten through 6th grade students.