How making a Crane can help a child in Japan

by Alice Shaffer

I recently heard about this wonderful project from a nanny that involves helping the children of Japan who have been affected by the tsunami.

I just fell in love with this project because it shares the love of origami and helping others in one little project for all ages. Such a fun project to do with playdates, school classes, Sunday school classes, families, and others.  I love how Carters/OshKosh are giving tools to children across the United States the chance to help the children in Japan by making an origami crane, which is a beloved craft of the Japanese.

I didn’t realize that the “crane” is a symbol of health and well wishes. The Japanese people also believe that if you make 1,000 origami cranes you will have a wish granted.  How cool is that?

Carters/OshKosh will be sending all the cranes that are donated to the OshKosh stores in Japan to show the children how the children of the United States are sending well wishes to them.   Make sure to visit the Facebook wall page to see all the wonderful cranes made people so far! One school made over 1,000 cranes.

Carters/OshKosh will be donating an article of clothing for every “crane” you donate to the children of Japan. They are going to donate up to 50,000 pieces of clothing.

Here is the information from their website:

Through April 25, we’ll be collecting the paper cranes that you and your children create and sending them to our OshKosh stores in Japan to show them the support and caring of their friends in the United States. OshKosh will donate up to 50,000 articles of clothing.

Bring it to any OshKosh Store through April 25, 2011 and as a thank you, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase that day.

Make a Crane

Invite friends and family to join in the fun of creativity!

Pick up a free Cranes for Kids action pack at your local OshKosh store, which includes origami paper and instructions or download our Origami Crane or Easy Origami Crane instructions here and make your own at home.

1. find a store
2. download origami instructions – older kids and adults
3. download easy origami instructions – children age 3-12

We’ve set up three easy ways for you to deliver your finished crane(s):

1. Bring it to any OshKosh Store through April 25, 2011 and as a thank you, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase that day.
2. Take a photo of your crane and upload it to our wall on Facebook
3. Mail it to us:

   Cranes for Kids
   OshKosh B’Gosh
   One Waterview Drive
   Shelton, CT 06484