NEW GLASGOW - After watching the devastation in Japan from the recent tsunami and earthquake, Noah Horton knew he had to do something.
"I'm really into Japan, and when I heard about the tsunami, I was shocked by the damage done and I just wanted to do something to help," said the 11-year-old New Glasgow boy.
During a recent trip to the exposition in Halifax, he saw a Japanese group making origami cranes to raise funds towards the relief efforts. They had information packages on how to help, and Horton knew right away he had to take one.
"They showed all the kids how to fold cranes, and they had a package you could take on how to help out for the fundraiser, all the money goes to the Red Cross relief efforts," Horton said. "Eventually, all the cranes will be sent to Japan, but I need to have 1,000 of them - they say in Japan that if you fold 1,000 cranes, you're granted one wish. This is a way to grant a wish to Japan."
Horton, a Grade 5 student at A.G. Baillie, asked the school if he could teach the classes there how to fold cranes. Each student could make a donation to learn how to make a crane, and so far, the fundraiser has made $300 and 150 cranes.
"So far I've just done it in the school, not the whole community yet, but it would be great if the whole community got involved."
Horton hopes to someday visit Japan and his father has promised to take him to the country once he reaches his black belt in karate. That's likely a long way off, however, as Horton just recently began studying.
Anyone wishing to learn how to make a crane or make a donation can call Horton at 755-4991.
