Makes Your Heart Smile

Springs' Sister City raises money for fire victims
Aug 3, 2012 5:11 p.m.


The city of Fujiyoshida, Japan has raised $11,417 for victims of the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs.

Fujiyoshida and Colorado Springs were named Sister Cities in 1962. This weekend, approximately 70 visitors from Fujiyoshida including Mayor Horiuchi are in town to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sister City relationship.

Mayor Horiuchi will deliver the $11,417 check to Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach during the Everybody Welcome Mountain Festival and 50th Sister City Anniversary Celebration at America the Beautiful Park on Saturday, August 4 at 6 p.m.

The money will go to Colorado Springs Together and will go towards the activities required to help restore the lives and the neighborhoods affected by the Waldo Canyon fire.

The Fujiyoshida fund drive began with a spontaneous performance by a local Taiko drumming group on a train platform. The drummers played for thirty minutes to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the fire at the base of Pikes Peak. The campaign grew through donations from the mayor of Fujiyoshida, high school students, concerned individuals, and local organizations.

Fujiyoshida, a city of 52,000 at the foot of Mt. Fuji, was selected as a Sister City because of geographic similarities and economies built on tourism and military presence.

Colorado Springs has also supported Fujiyoshida in times of tragedy. In 2011, when news of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami reached Colorado Springs, the Japan America Society of Southern Colorado went into action, raising more than $47,000 in aid for Japanese relief efforts.

or details about the 50th Anniversary Mountain Festival to be held Saturday, August 4, from noon to 8 p.m. at America the Beautiful Park, please visit www.csfirefestival.com. The Mountain Festival launches a full week of Everybody Welcome activities throughout the community.