(From left): Sharon Metcalf, Hacienda Foundation Vice President; Claire Roth, Hacienda Foundation President; Janice Lieu, Treasurer MAAC; Teri Follete, MAAC-Japan Relief Fund Photo Sharron Sue

Moraga Asian American Club (MAAC) granted $5,000 to worthy projects in keeping with its mission to promote civic involvement and diversity efforts that value and respect differences to build an inclusive community for all. Grants this cycle were awarded to: Moraga School District, Hacienda Foundation of Moraga, Moraga Education Foundation, Moraga Library and the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. All the grantees are repeat recipients, with the exception of earthquake relief.

Typically the Moraga Asian American Club (MAAC) makes charitable grants to local community groups, but the Great Tohoku Earthquake of March 11th spurred MAAC to also help the people of Japan with relief, recovery and rebuilding from the devastating effects of the earthquake, subsequent tsunami and radiation contamination. MAAC is reaching out to members, family, friends, and community to raise $8,000 to help the citizens of Japan by April 18th. To encourage support of this campaign, MAAC pledges to match combined total donations up to $4,000. ($2,000 from MAAC grants and $2,000 through the generosity of an anonymous donor.)

100 percent of the proceeds raised will go towards citizen relief efforts on the ground in the most affected areas via the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund established by the Japanese Cultural Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) through long relationships they have had since the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake centered in Kobe. Updates about the relief efforts that are being supported are available at: www.jcccnc.org and hit the "click here" button. For more information on MAAC or how to help, please contact Sharron Sue at 925-376-2005 or nssue@aol.com.