Judan nearing its goal

Athletes from Judan Judo needed some help. The community has kicked in.

Community donations have come pouring in to pay for lodging for the group's trip to Japan, reaching about $2,000 as of Monday evening. The club still has about $500 remaining to raise before leaving Wedesday

Members of the Portland organization found out last week that because of concerns about the H1N1 virus (swine flu), they would not be able to stay with host families during their scheduled visit to Japan. With non-refundable airline tickets already in hand, Judan was left scrambling to raise $2,500 to pay for hotel rooms in just over a week.

Judan's Brad Daniels, who will be on the trip along with his sister Vicky and seven students, said donations have come in from as small as $5 to as large as $500 from the Portland Breakfast Optimists.

"It's going pretty good. It really is," said Daniels, who noted personal donations from Portland mayor Bruce Hosier and Jay Schools superintendant Tim Long. "We're getting pretty close.

"It makes us proud of the community. They stepped forward and came to bat for us. ... They were real responsive and very sympathetic toward the kids."

Judan will try to raise the remaining money before driving to Chicago Wednesday. Their flight to Japan leaves Thursday.[[In-content Ad]]