Wolcott Resident Hannah Morse Launches Fundraising Effort for Japan

CAZENOVIA, NY (04/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Wolcott, N.Y., resident Hannah Morse, a 2010 alumna of Cazenovia College, is a professional photographer and also a teacher's aide at Sodus Elementary School. She has organized a fundraiser for the people affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters in Japan, using photography and origami paper cranes.

Of her project, Morse writes, "There is a Japanese legend that says when a person folds 1,000 origami cranes, a crane will come and grant that person a wish, usually for a long life or relief from illness or injury. It is my hope that by using the concept of this legend I can facilitate a benefit to raise money for aid in Japan."

The project, "Taking Flight," involves an origami lesson, and portrait photos of participants which will become part of an art gallery show. Morse will bring "Taking Flight" to the Cazenovia College campus on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Reisman Hall on Seminary Street. She will also see participants (individuals or groups) by appointment at her studio, Hannah McKenzie Photography, on West Port Bay Road in Wolcott. To make a donation and participate in this project at the studio, contact Morse at 315-879-1837, or hannahmmorse@gmail.com.

Morse asks for a $20 donation from each participant or group of participants, with all proceeds going to Architecture for Humanity, a non-profit organization based in California that brings design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed by building homes, schools, clinics, sports facilities and communities through sustainable design. Morse says, "This organization comes in after the initial disaster relief teams are gone, offering long-term assistance to rebuild communities devastated by disasters."

She continues, "I will be asking people to make a donation, fold an origami crane and have a photograph portrait taken. The photos from "Taking Flight" will be hung in the North Rose – Wolcott High School Gallery next August, and I hope it will travel to other galleries, so maximum participation is a must."

Architecture for Humanity has been responsible for many projects in the past, including ventures in New Orleans, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Brazil, just to name a few. Currently they're working in Japan, Chile and Haiti, among others. For more information, visit www.architectureforhumanity.com.

Cazenovia College, named one of "America's Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, is a small, independent, co-educational, baccalaureate college. Located near Syracuse, N.Y., Cazenovia College offers a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.