Last week, Del Norte supervisors joined the Rural Counties Representatives California (RCRC) Conference in Rohnert Park, for its Annual Meeting.
The 40 counties group has special needs and priorities which don’t necessarily relate to mega-Los Angeles/ Orange or San Francisco Bay area counties.
1st District Supervisor Darrin Short shared the fascinating story of the Rikuzentakata/ Crescent City-Del Norte Sister City relationship with Supervisors from the 39 other counties. Short shared the gesture of donating a small gift basket for auction with the mayor of Rikuzentakata.
Japanese Mayor Toba, co-Chairmen Ito and Murikami learned of the Basket of Love collection from Del Norte and decided to bolster it a bit.
All Del Norte supervisors extended the gesture to donate a gift basket to the Kamome Foundation.
The Japanese delegation then stepped up its gesture to the Foundation which sponsors Del Norte High School students from the Japan Club travelling to and embracing the Rikuzentakata overseas experience. The Delegation augmented the gift basket to include all the bells and whistles of a dream trip to Rikuzentakata with hotel accommodations, a special dignitary dinner and lots of provided activities for the winning bidder of the basket, sans the airfare to Japan.
Things really started popping after the Japanese gesture to the Kamome Foundation. Some other additions to the basket included a Mike Coopman-guided fishing experience for two, the Alexandre Dairy assortment of products, an Ocean World Aquarium and gift shop donations, Sea Quake and more… much more.
Then other counties began to make contributions of vacation stays and cash… lots of cash. National Home Buyers Fund stepped up and donated $3,000. A flurry of cash donations followed from other counties and RCRC.
Desiree Haus, a business development manager, from Los Angeles was the top bidder at $25,000.
Short described the climate in the room as “on fire.”
When the smoke settled $31,500 was crammed into the gift basket. Wow!
Kamome Foundation President Bill Steven was beyond elated. In expressing his gratitude and appreciation, Steven thanked Del Norte County, RCRC supervisors/ attendees and staff, the Japanese Delegation and Pacific Power Foundation for its contribution to the Japan Club students traveling to Rikunzentakata, last Summer. Steven said Kamome will continue to concentrate on cultural exchanges between Rikuzentaka and Del Norte High School students, support of the Kamome Festival and continuing on-going exchanges with community members, professional development, student education and development and women’s empowerment; a true Basket of Love.