A bookshelf has been donated to Yumenomori by the “Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund”.
The children from the school, as well as the kindergarten attended the presentation ceremony, receiving Taylor’s heartfelt wishes.

Mr. Endo from Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, shared his thoughts:
“I would be happy if you could feel how people’s feelings are connected and carried on.”

He also explained that the bookshelf is made from sequoia, the world’s largest tree, as well as reddish redwood.

The student representatives received books and book gift cards, and the new bookshelf was finally unveiled.
“It carries on the wish to become a bridge between Japan and the United States and to support schools in Tohoku. The bookshelf itself also features an arch design inspired by the image of a bridge.”

　Taylor Anderson was the first American victim reported from the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. She had come to Japan through the JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) and spent two and a half years teaching English to students at kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. After the disaster struck, Taylor was last seen making sure her students were safe.
　Because Taylor’s alma mater, St. Catherine’s School, already had the necessary legal framework and administrative structure in place, the Anderson family, with the school’s support, was able to establish the Taylor Anderson ’04 Memorial Fund during the week of March 21, 2011.
　The main purpose of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund is to carry on Taylor’s dream of becoming a bridge between the United States and Japan, and to support the recovery of students, schools, and families in Ishinomaki and the greater Tohoku region. In July 2014, the current Japanese NPO, Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund, was formally established, reflecting the Anderson family’s strong wish to continue standing alongside the people of the disaster-affected areas for many years to come.
(Source: Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund)

The student representatives expressed their gratitude:
“Thank you very much for donating such a wonderful bookshelf for us. I thought the design, which reflects the character of Okuma Town, was really beautiful.”

The design of the bookshelf was created with “Okuma’s identity” in mind, and a bear motif was requested. The warmth and natural tones of the wood made it a perfect fit for Yumenomori, resulting in a truly wonderful design. We are deeply grateful.

The junior high school English textbook includes a passage about the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund. One student who had studied it in class shared during the homeroom meeting:
“I was surprised when I heard the name, because we learned about it in English class. The textbook talked about Taylor’s life after she came to Japan.”

We hope to treasure and make good use of this bookshelf in the Yumenomori school building from now on.