$14,000 In Quake Aid

Two weeks after the earthquake in central Japan, local residents have raised $14,000 in cash for Spokane’s sister city, Nishinomiya.

More than 1,000 residents of Nishinomiya died and more than 16,000 were injured in the Jan. 16 quake.

Within 36 hours of the disaster, Sacred Heart Medical Center’s disaster staff received about 2,500 pounds of emergency items. Volunteers sorted the items, which were shipped to Nishinomiya’s disaster center along with the cash.

Donations are being accepted at all First Interstate Bank branches. Checks should be made out to “Spokane Sister City Society” with “Earthquake Relief” marked on the check’s lower left corner.

In a separate relief effort, Japanese students at Gonzaga University have raised $2,600 for earthquake victims.