The community is invited to an April 7 “Crane-a-thon” origami-folding event organized to raise funds to buy warm socks for Japanese people currently living in refugee situations.

All are welcome at a beginners’ folding lesson offered from 5 to 6 p.m. in the school library; the actual “Crane-a-Thon” will run from 6 to 7 p.m. Organized by the students of Val Hellar’s Japanese Connections club, the event will raise funds through public pledges of financial support, either on a per-crane basis or an overall pledge amount.

During the evening Hugh and Patricia Burleson, long-time leaders of the Japanese Connection program’s annual trip, will show a slideshow of photos from past trips. They will also be available to answer questions about Japan.

“It’s about coming together, community to community,” said high school senior Iris Parker Pavitt, one of the organizers. “We’re a small island community similar to a lot of areas of Japan. It’s about crossing borders.”

So why socks?

“There are lots of people donating clothing, blankets, money; relief organizations are saying they have enough money,” said Parker Pavitt. “Japan doesn’t necessarily need financial aid… but socks were something that were being overlooked. They’re just a really comforting thing to have.”

After the crane-a-thon, the students will create packages including socks, a personal note and a folded crane. They hope to hand-deliver the packages to Japan on their upcoming April trip.

Other organizers of the Crane-a-thon are students Serena Sanders and Sofie Thixton. In addition to donations by individual islanders, Office Cupboard has donated 500 sheets of paper for the event.

Pledge sheets may be obtained at the Orcas Island High School office. For further information, email Iris at irispavitt@yahoo.com.