Eliesha Nelson

Please join us in a Benefit Concert given by members of the Cleveland Orchestra on Monday, March 28, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., at the Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Road.

All free-will offerings will go directly to Nihon Kirisuto Kyōdan - Disaster Center in Sendai to aid the earthquake recovery effort in Japan. With Church World Service they will provide emergency relief to some 25,000 people now living at 100 evacuation sites in northeastern Japan, focusing on areas where the basics of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are needed.

Feeling helpless as I listen to the voices of my family and friends, I am moved to do something for them and in their names. I have heard; "There were only two aftershocks today but my body is swaying all the time." "No bags of rice at the store." "Such a strong wind was blowing from the north (where the nuclear plant is), so I closed all my windows and stayed in." "My son is working at the First Building of the (nuclear) plant. I am prepared for the worst." These are but a few examples of the stories of those affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in Japan. I am not a doctor, a scientist, or architect with a clear path to volunteer in the recovery effort. I am a violinist. As such, it is my hope that this musical gathering will serve to bring some comfort to the victims in Japan and to all of us.

~ Sae Shiragami