Gero Recovery Fund

We have concluded the Gero Recovery Fund drive and are tabulating the totals. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Japan has just undergone the worst torrential rains and subsequent flooding in over 3 decades. This has been the deadliest natural disaster to hit the county since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima. The destruction includes loss of lives, homes, businesses, and transportation infrastructure.

The affected area includes our Sister City of Gero. While fortunately there was no loss of life to this point, our friends in Gero are recovering from the devastating effects of this terrible act of nature. The Gero region relies a great deal on tourism, much as our Gulf Coast region. The loss of revenue is and will be significant.

Many of us in Pensacola have experienced the joy of hosting exchange students from Gero. We have trusted our friends in Gero with our children when they have ventured to Japan. As we proudly celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our Sister City relationship with Hagiwara and now Gero City, we want to show our support and friendship now more than ever.

After Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and the flooding in Escambia County in 2014, Gero residents provided financial assistance totaling $22,000 to Pensacola. These funds were disseminated by the United Way of Escambia County to families with the greatest need. It is our hope that you would choose to help our friends in Gero now by contributing to “The Gero Recovery Fund,” established by the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida.

There are several ways that you can contribute to “The Gero Recovery Fund.”

  1. Send a check made payable to Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida earmarked for “Gero Recovery Fund”:
    P.O. Box 933
    Gulf Breeze, FL 32562
  2. Call Laverne Baker, JAS Treasurer, to make a credit card gift (850.261.6048)
  3. Visit Sake Cafe (4880 N. 9th Ave) any Tuesday in August and bring in this printable flyer, and they will donate 10% of your pre-tax meal value to the Gero Recovery Fund.
  4. Make a gift via PayPal via the button below.

Whatever option you choose, please know that a gift of any amount will make a difference and that 100% of all funds raised will be sent to Gero.

We have concluded the Gero Recovery Fund drive and are tabulating the totals. Thank you to everyone who participated!

As we know, the the residents of Gero are very resilient and are working hard to restore their city. We want to show our support and stand by the community who has welcomed our children and with whom we have made lifelong friends. Please join us in assisting our friends and our Sister City of Gero in their time of need.

The Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida is a 501(c)(3), CH1899, is registered with the State of Florida. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES OT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. All contributions are tax-deductible to the maximum extent of IRS regulations.