|  | | A Campaign for St. Catherine's | |
As of April 15, 2013, donations, gifts and pledges have exceeded $302,887.*
*This number reflects money and pledges received by St. Catherine's School and not
fundraisers and other activities that have raised money, but have not yet submitted the funds.
Actual amount raised is higher than number reflected above. |
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| One year later, the legacy of Taylor Anderson ’04 continues to grow.
Anderson was the first confirmed American casualty of the March 11, 2011 tsunami in Japan. As part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, Taylor spent two years teaching English to kindergarten, lower school and junior high school students in the coastal city of Ishinomaki. She was last seen helping and assuring her students after the March 11 earthquake.
Taylor’s passion and love for the people of Japan is carried on through the Taylor Anderson ’04 Memorial Fund, which has received donations from people connected to St. Catherine’s School and from around the world.
The Anderson’s efforts to raise awareness, as well as their Taylor’s love of Japan, were recently recognized. In November the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York (JCCI) posthumously awarded the Luminous Individual Award to Taylor in recognition of furthering the relationship between Japan and the U.S. through her inspirational spirit and heroic sacrifice. A contribution of $50,000 was made to the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund.
“We wish to thank the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of NY for recognizing and honoring Taylor with their Luminary Award at their 27th annual dinner,” said Andy Anderson, Taylor’s father. “Their incredibly generous donation will help Taylor’s foundation fulfill her dream of being a bridge between Japan and America in many ways.”
The money is being put to good use. Taylor’s fund will make Christmas a little better for orphans of the tsunami through Smiles and Dreams: Tohoku Kids Project. Taylor’s fund will support the Asahigaoku Gakuen orphanage in Kessenuma and initial support has been started by Smile Kids with a delivery of toys, Wii gaming systems and educational materials. Fourteen of the children had a very successful English Adventure summer camp experience in August. Taylor’s fund will sponsor the Christmas Wish program this year, which will provide gifts the children specifically want and a Christmas party on December 24.
In early September, the Anderson family traveled to Japan to establish the Taylor Anderson Reading Corners, or Taylor Bunko as they are called, in the seven schools in Ishinomaki where she taught English as part of the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program. Each Taylor Bunko has 60 of Taylor’s favorite children’s books and more than 200 additional books selected by the schools.
Taylor Scholarships will provide financial assistance to Ishinomaki high school graduates to attend Sendai YMCA College starting with the school year beginning April 2013. The scholarships will be provided to those students who have suffered from the disasters and will be provided by Taylor’s Fund and the YMCA.
JET Micro Grants will provide financial support to enhance English language and foreign culture programs initiated by Miyagi/Sendai JET (MAJET) program participants. This program empowers JETs to go beyond the classroom to be active participants and leaders in their schools and communities.
Taylor's fund helps support the Fruit Tree Project. Paul Yoo and Minami Ishikawa organized the Fruit Tree Project to take fresh fruit to shelters which has been not only nutritionally helpful, but has lifted the spirits of all those they have helped. The fruit they provide is a good supplement to the rice and miso soup provided at the shelters.
It is very important to Taylor's family, friends and donors that 100 percent of the funds raised will be used for the benefit of the schools, students and families in Taylor's area. Taylor’s family feels blessed that Taylor's high school, St. Catherine's in Richmond, VA is donating their time and services to administer the fund. Ishinomaki BOE, Smile Kids Japan, and the Fruit Tree Project contribute 100% of what they receive to the projects we identify with them.
“We think Taylor would be very proud of this,” Anderson said. “Her spirit encourages us and gives us the strength to do our best in her honor and keep her spirit alive in all of us.”
Activities on behalf of Taylor and Taylor’s Fund to date include: appearances at St. Catherine’s School (two), Randolph-Macon College, Japanese Ambassador’s Thank You Barbecue, National Jet Alumni Conference, Japan Sports Visitors Program at Ripken Baseball Academy, and the Taylor Anderson Reading Corner Dedication in Ishinomaki, Japan. The family also accepted the Luminary Award for Taylor at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of NY annual dinner, made an appearance at the Atlanta Consulate Reception in Atlanta and the Anime USA Festival in Washington, D.C. Taylor’s Fund was a beneficiary of The American Chamber of Commerce Japan Charity Ball held in December.
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Watch the video shown at the annual dinner for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York on Nov. 15, 2011. Taylor received their Luminary Award.
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Video courtesy of FUJI TV | |
Live Your Dream Film Premiere |
Taylor Lane Anderson '04 |
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Live Your Dream - Movie Premiere
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Panelists for the Friday night premiere:
- Regge Life, Director/producer of “Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story”
- Andy and Jeanne Anderson, Taylor's parents
- Minister Masao Ohtaka, head of public affairs division of Japanese Embassy
- Marc Knapper, Director of the Japan Desk at the State Department
- Shelley Frederickson, sister of Monty Dickson, other American killed in tsunami; Founder of Montgomery Dickson Cultural Fund, Board Member of Japan Relief Fund of Alaska
- Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan – United States Friendship Commission
- Jessica Besecker, friend of Taylor, former JET teacher in Japan at time of tsunami, missing for five days
- Matt Fuller, Jordan Desk Officer, U.S. Department of State, Former Special Assistant to Ambassador to Japan John. V. Roos, JET Alumni
Special Student PremiereA special event will be held in the morning for Richmond area high school and college students. This event featured a special moderator-led panel discussion with the follow panelists:
- Regge Life, Director/producer of “Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story”
- Andy and Jeanne Anderson, Taylor's parents
- Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese Ambassador to the U.S.
- Shelley Frederickson, sister of Monty Dickson, other American killed in tsunami; Founder of Montgomery Dickson Cultural Fund, Board Member of Japan Relief Fund of Alaska
- Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan – United States Friendship Commission
- Jessica Besecker, friend of Taylor, former JET teacher in Japan at time of tsunami, missing for five days
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Please share your thoughts and memories about Taylor Anderson
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