The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is asking Maryland schools and school systems to help the people of Japan following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that damaged much of the Tohoku region two weeks ago.

The Maryland Kids Care Campaign: Operation Japan is asking Maryland’s 1,500 public schools to collect pennies—and more—to help aid victims. State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick announced the new campaign today while visiting Severna Park High School in Anne Arundel County, as part of her annual “Blue Ribbon Tour of Excellence.”

The fundraising effort begins on Friday, April 1 and will run through May 13. MSDE is partnering with the American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter in the relief effort. The American Red Cross is supporting the Japanese Red Cross, whose employees and volunteers are directly providing emergency relief, medical services, and emotional counseling to affected communities.

“Our children are caring and compassionate, and they are interested in the world around them,” Dr. Grasmick said. “The Japanese people have experienced an unprecedented natural disaster, and this campaign will provide students an opportunity to get involved—and learn—in a tangible and important way.”

The earthquake off the coast of Japan on March 11 caused unprecedented damage to the east coast of the nation’s northeastern region.

Maryland students have become involved in other recent disaster relief efforts. Six years ago, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Maryland schools raised more than $1.3 million. Last year, following the Haiti disaster, schools raised close to $500,000.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.MarylandPublicSchools.org, or call the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-0369.


We encourage you to visit the American Red Cross of Central Maryland's website.

Once there, you will find a variety of resources and programs relative to youth, service-learning, and educators, to include:

Youth Community Disaster Education

Teachers and Leaders Programs