To research the effects of oil in our seas, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab recently received a $400 donation from overseas – Japan.

Donated by the Ichihara International Association (IIA), the funds were specifically designated to support oil spill research.  The Mobile Ichihara Sister City Association (MISCA) believed the most appropriate venue for the donation was the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Educator Blair Heald from W. J. Carroll Intermediate School, Daphne, Alabama, is a member of MISCA and recently chaperoned eleven local students to Ichihara. “As part of the Sister City program, students from both cities take turns every other year visiting each other.  In the past, the Japanese students have been to the Sea Lab and have greatly enjoyed their time there,” Ms. Heald said.

“The IIA members truly care about their Sister City,” she continued.  “When Hurricane Katrina struck, the members sent a donation to the city of Mobile to help recovery efforts.”

“If we’re going to look for silver linings in this disaster,” said DISL Executive Director Dr. George Crozier, “one of them surely is the outpouring of support we’ve received from far and wide. This is an outstanding example of how deeply felt this environmental impact is, and how generous people are in the midst of a crisis.

“We are grateful to the IIA, MISCA and Ms. Heald for their heartfelt support,” he added.

Photo caption (left to right): In Ichihara are Blair Heald; Judy Hale, Co-President of MISCA; and Kazuko Kubo, Vice-President of IIA. The three are standing in front of the Mobile display kept in the Ichihara government building.