The Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society has established a relief fund for the survivors of the massive earthquake and resulting tsunami, which killed untold thousands and destroyed many coastal communities in northern Japan on March 10, 2011.
“The scale of the disaster and the depth of human loss and suffering are almost beyond comprehension,” said Gerry Rooney, the Society’s president. “In the spirit of Captain Whitfield and John Manjiro, we are compelled to respond to this emergency in whatever small way we can, in solidarity with our Japanese friends,” he said.
Donations of any amount will be accepted. Checks can be made payable to “WMFS” with the memo “Earthquake Relief,” and mailed to: Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society, 11 Cherry Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.
“All proceeds will be sent to the Society’s sister city of Tosashimizu, Japan, in order to reassure them that we share their loss and join their efforts during this trying time. We will call upon their judgment to forward the donations to the most appropriate agency to assist in the recovery effort.” Mr. Rooney said.
Tosashimizu is located in southern Japan on the island of Shikoku and was not impacted by the earthquake and tsunami.
Contributions are tax-deductible. The Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society is a nonprofit organization.
Captain William Whitfield
The Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society, formerly known as the Fairhaven/New Bedford-Tosashimizu Sister City Committee, Inc., has been active in promoting U.S.-Japan relationships for more than 24 years. It was formed with mandates from the Town of Fairhaven and the City of New Bedford, to establish and promote a sister-city relationship with the city of Tosashimizu, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It is the goal of the committees in both countries to promote international cooperation, friendship and peace.
The Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society represents the oldest and longest standing friendship between the two countries. It began in 1841, when Captain William Whitfield of the whale ship John Howland rescued five shipwrecked Japanese fishermen. The youngest, Manjiro, stayed with the ship at the invitation of the Captain and lived with the Whitfield family in Fairhaven, where he was also educated. Eventually, Manjiro returned to sea and finally found his way back to Japan after many adventures. He served an invaluable role as a teacher and interpreter during the initiation of relations between Japan and the United States.
The Society operates the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House Museum, located in the home where Manjiro became the first Japanese person to reside in the USA. It was restored with funding provided in the most part by the Japanese people.
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