Misawa gives to Red Feather Campaign

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Barnett
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Red Feather Campaign officially wrapped-up during a ceremony at the Misawa Community Center Jan. 18.

From Sept. 1, 2007 to Oct. 31, 2007, the Misawa Air Base community collected 1,150,000 Yen for the Red Feather Community Chest. Col. T.J. O'Shaughnessy, 35th Fighter Wing commander, presented a check for this amount to the organization during the ceremony. Plaques were presented to the various squadrons from Misawa that participated, as well as to Sollars and Cummings Elementary Schools and the Misawa Top Three.

The Red Feather Community Chest is a Japanese charitable organization that supports local social welfare programs for the elderly, handicapped, children's welfare, youth development and supporting community welfare and human services.

The donations are collected annually from volunteers around Misawa Air Base. The funds are collected from donation containers located at numerous locations on base and through sponsored events like bike-a-thons. Contributions can be made from individuals and organizations.

"The Red Feather Campaign is the only non-U.S. organization with the privilege to raise funds on base," said Paul Sayles, 35th Medical Group contact patient safety manager.

According to Mr. Sayles, the organization received more donations this year.

"We did roughly 40 percent better than last year," he said.

The money donated from Misawa goes towards Aomori and Misawa City, and is the only fundraiser held on Misawa Air Base, that is solely for the Misawa community.

"There are a number of retiree widows living in the Misawa area," Mr. Sayles said "Some of these women are receiving services sponsored by the Red Feather organization. When American's donate to the Red Feather Campaign, they are helping take care of military dependants."

This is the 12th year Misawa has supported the program.

During the campaign, people can be seen around the base wearing red feathers on their persons in support of the program. Some politicians can be seen with the feathers on Japanese news reports as well.