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COLUMBIA (WACH) - Red Dot 4 Japan hosted a free Japanese cultural event and silent auction at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Columbia on Wednesday.

Columbia area artists, businesses and students joined forces to raise funds for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Red Dot 4 Japan organizers, Alix & Cari Takayama Tuel, are sisters attending Dreher High School and Hand Middle School.

They worked together to create the fundraising campaign to rally support from the Midlands community.

"The destruction is cataclysmic. We felt compelled to do something locally. Many people think Japan is a rich country that does not need our help. In addition, their culture makes it difficult for them to ask for assistance," said Alix Takayam Tuel. 

The sisters have Japanese heritage, as well as study the language and culture. Their grandmother, originally from Tokyo, went to school in Sendai, where the crippled nuclear reactor is located.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief fund. 

To support Red Dot 4 Japan, please visit http://american.redcross.org/goto/reddot.