Gesture of goodwill offered in response to recent earthquake and tsunami
ROCKFORD, IL — Anderson Japanese Gardens will hold a news conference to announce “A Day in the Garden” in response to the earthquake and tsunami tragedy that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. Garden founder John Anderson is offering to pay the Gardens’ admission fee for all people of Japanese descent over the course of the 2011 garden season. Anderson hopes to provide a place of peace and tranquility for Japanese people who cannot return to their homeland to be with friends and loved ones during these difficult times.
In picking up the cost of their admission fee Anderson states, “The Gardens offer our Japanese guests a peaceful place of sanctuary to enjoy a time of stillness and quiet, for meditation and reflection, in garden surroundings similar to those back in their homeland of Japan.”
Additionally, all Garden guests are encouraged to contribute to Japanese earthquake and tsunami victim relief aid to one of three charitable, 501c3, organizations that are doing relief work in Japan: Samaritan’s Purse, The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
Anderson visited Japan for the first time in 1966. He was a guest of family friend, Akira Ohno of the Morinaga Milk Company. Ohno introduced Anderson to the Japanese people and their culture, providing him with a deep respect and appreciation for traditions and way of life.
It was this love of the Japanese culture that eventually led to the creation of Anderson Japanese Gardens. The massive, thirty-three year project took place under the direction of the garden’s designer and builder Hoichi Kurisu.
Today, Anderson Japanese Gardens, located at 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, Illinois, is one of the most significant Japanese gardens outside of Japan, rated one of the top Japanese gardens in North America. The garden serves over 40,000 visitors annually from each state in the country and from over 35 countries around the world.
Additionally, visitors will be invited to contribute to Japanese earthquake and tsunami victim relief aid.
###
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kristina DeCoster, RACVB Public Affairs Director: 815.489.1664/ kdecoster@gorockford.com
