ImageOn May 2nd, Centerville Rotary Club participated in Operation 1000 Cherry Trees Project by planting five Yoshino cherry trees on the front lawn of Centerville Library, 111 W. Spring Valley Rd. The trees are complemented by a Peace Pole to commemorate this year’s Rotary International theme of “Peace through Service”. 
 

Operation 1,000 Cherry Trees was inspired by Japanese-born business man Alex Hara, who resides in Dayton, OH. Mr. Hara was amazed by the rapid response of the American military and the willingness of the American people to donate money, products, and time to people half a world away in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated his homeland. Operation 1,000 Cherry Trees was his way of giving Japanese and Japanese-American people the opportunity to show their appreciation, while at the same time, planting a seed for friendship between the two nations.

“I was touched by the generosity of the citizens of the Dayton area in Japan’s time of crisis. This year, I’ve made it my mission to purchase, plant, and nurture 1,000 cherry trees here in the Dayton area,” says Mr. Hara. Each tree costs $300 to purchase, plant and maintain and organizations or individuals interested in donating can contact the Dayton Foundation. 140 cherry trees have already been planted at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and other locations around Montgomery County. The cherry blossom is a potent symbol that illustrates the fleeting nature of life and represents the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.

For more information on Operation 1,000 Cherry Trees visit http://en.operation1000cherrytrees.com.

 

Sponsors