GRANITE BAY, CA (March 28, 2011) – Bayside Church and Mikuni Restaurant Group hope to raise $75,000 with a special evening of dining and entertainment on Wednesday night to help Japanese citizens affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Funds will be split between World Vision International and Covenant World Relief (CWR), the Evangelical Covenant Church’s humanitarian aid and development ministry. CWR is partnering with the Covenant Church of Japan to meet the needs of those affected by tragedy.

An article on the event website that details how to respond to disasters notes that “While Japan is a well-developed country that does have sophisticated disaster response systems in place, the scale and scope of these massive disasters is such that no country could have been completely prepared for.”

David Husby, CWR director, foresees the nation needing continued help. He will travel to Japan at the end of April to meet with leaders of the Covenant denomination there.

“People without homes are in shelters receiving basic supplies,” Husby said. “The Covenant Church of Japan is seeking the most appropriate way to address the needs of the most vulnerable. As in any major disaster, the relief and recovery period will be at least months, if not years.”

At Wednesday’s event, Mikuni executive chef Taro Arai will make sushi and other restaurant partners will also prepare food. There will be an art auction and entertainment featuring Japanese taiko drums at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation.

Bayside Pastor Ray Johnston said, “We have been inundated from our attendees with a desire to help. So we decided to provide an opportunity to learn about the Japanese culture – its food, art and music – while helping those in need. Mr. Arai attends many of our events here at Bayside, and we both share the same heart and love for people. It should be a great evening of giving, learning and healing.”

“We are honored to represent the Japanese culture in this way, and to serve our fellow Japanese people even from 5,000 miles away,” Arai said.

The silent auction and appetizers will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75, or people may become table sponsors for $800.

In addition to the other activities, nationally recognized artist David Garibaldi will perform. Garibaldi, who creates six-foot portraits of pop icons and other people in just minutes while music plays, will craft three paintings to be auctioned.

For more information, click the event website or call the church at 916-791-1244.

Bayside already has raised $80,000 through a special offering.