When the earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan last month, students and teachers at Sant Bani School immediately began asking, “How can we help.” One answer came in the form of small paper symbols of hope that can help clothe those left with nothing.

Students met as a group this week to practice the art of origami by working to create paper cranes during their daily morning session. Service Coordinator Hillary Pincoske projected the instructions onto a screen, and along with the help of teachers, the students worked their way through the steps needed to create multi-colored cranes.

The beautiful paper cranes are being collected by Osh Kosh B’gosh. For each crane donated, Osh Kosh is donating an article of clothing to help the people of Japan. As Pincoske explained, “Our goal is to create 1000 cranes, a traditional Japanese symbol of hope for world peace and a long life. Although we are hoping everyone will be successful in making at least one crane, it is much more about all of us working together and being part of a larger group effort to help others and that everyone will feel good about their effort.” Judging by the overflowing box of over 489 paper cranes prepared in just one day the children should feel very good and are well on their way to reaching their goal.