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At the leaving/recontracting conferences (which are held on the same day this year in adjacent rooms at the kencho) GAJET is holding two charity drives; a clothing collection and a small change drive. Please join us in giving something back to the community - we assure you that your donations really do make a difference.
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Each year, it is customary for GAJET to engage in supporting some form of charitable cause. JETs are, of course, paid from money garnered from the taxpayer in Japan, so GAJET would like your help in giving something back the community that supports us.
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We are supporting two charities this year, via two different means.
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- Small Change Drive
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This drive is to support a charity called Akaihane. They are a twofold organisation, aiming to help students that are unable to attend a mainstream school, and children who have become the victims of child abuse. Their website can be found here:
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http://www.akaihane.or.jp/index2.html
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I'm sure all will agree that this is a cause worthy of our support. I firmly believe that education is the most important gift a child can be given, and that we have a responsibility to look out for those that can't help themselves.
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I don't know about everyone else, but in my apartment, I have a bucket of 1, 5 and 10 yen coins. I could just never seem to shift them. Now that I'm leaving, they're really a nuisance.
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Please bring whatever loose change you have to donate. It can be anything; surely everyone has a dozen 1-en coins in a cup or jar. Seperately it's not much but collectively we could raise a sizeable amount; and let's face it, it's only scrap metal to us, but it could provide children a future and/or save lives.
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- Clothing collection
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In addition to the above, GAJET is going to hold a clothing collection for the Japanese arm of the Salvation Army. I'm sure they need no introduction, but in any case, the SA is a charity organisation that deals with areas as diverse as homelessness and supporting the poor, as well as disaster relief.
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Many of us leaving will be forced to throw out clothing due to concerns over luggage weight limits, or simply bulk.
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GAJET will be collecting clothing outside of the conferences. We'll take any clothing that is wearable and has been washed; obviously no tears or rips, in any size. No concerns about how fashionable it may or may not be!
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(I've been asked to make clear that the SA doesn't take socks and underwear :D. Obvious to you and me, but I suppose it does have to be stated somewhere).

Notices:
- for the change drive, we want to head to the bank which closes at 3, so please donate on your way into the conferences.