Local Agencies Join Kobe Relief Effort

As residents of the crumpled city of Kobe continue to dig out and mourn the more than 5,000 killed in Japan’s worst quake in 70 years, local agencies and an Oxnard legislator have joined the worldwide effort to provide relief funds and supplies.

“Many of our legislators were just appalled at the disaster,” Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard) said. “We felt we had to do something.”

Takasugi said he decided last week to organize a relief committee to solicit personal donations from legislators, with an international aid organization distributing the money. Takasugi will meet Monday with fellow legislators to establish the fund.

And local chapters of the Jaycees are coordinating efforts among Japan Air Lines, Todey Chevrolet-Geo-Hyundai of Oxnard, Paper & Plastics Inc. of Oxnard, Yellow Freight, and Harbor Freight Tools Retail Store of Camarillo to airlift donated supplies to Kobe.

All the businesses are donating their services, said Walter Morris of the 6th District California Jaycees, which organized the relief partnership.

Items needed include blankets, non-perishable food, powdered milk, disposable diapers, work gloves, warm clothing and medical supplies. Call Morris at 389-5285 for drop-off sites and more information.

Takasugi said he hopes contributions from the state’s 120 legislators will reach about $12,000 and expects the money raised to reach Kobe in early February.

“Japan responded magnificently when we had the Loma Prieta quake (the Northern California 1989 temblor) and the Northridge quake last year,” he said. “I think the least we can do is make an effort in return.”