Japanese tradition holds that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be blessed by that holy animal in Japanese mythology.
Senbazuru, strings of colourful paper cranes, are often given as wedding presents and hung in the home for good luck.
Japanese exchange student Kana Kodaira hopes the 1,000 cranes being folded by UNBC students and volunteers will bring some much-needed good fortune to her homeland.
"I'm so worried about my friends and their families in Japan," Kodaira said.
"Some have lost their houses. They are suffering from no food, no water - and the electricity is down."
Although Kodaira's family is safe, far from where a massive earthquake and tsunami hit on the northeastern coast of the country, many others are not as fortunate.
"No I am living in Canada and have not been [harmed]," she said. "I need my friends and Canadians to help the Japanese people."
Members of the UNBC FOCUS Club, Asian Club and exchange students from Gakushuin Women's College, Utsunomiya University and Hiroshima Shudo University are hosting UNBC Prays for Japan.
The goal of the event, which started Tuesday and runs for the rest of the week, is to show support for Japan by folding paper cranes and raising money for the Canadian Red Cross's relief efforts.
The group hasn't set a fundraising target, but Kordaira said she hopes to raise as much as possible. Anyone can come to the UNBC Winter Garden from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., fold a crane - with help from students - and make a donation.
"Perhaps we can do 2,000 cranes," she said.
Exchange student Mariko Kidani said the cranes are an important symbol.
"These cranes are a symbol of peace," Kidani said. "I'm worried about the people. They don't have food, water. It's very cold there right now."
Co-organizer Steven Summer said the event is not just about raising money.
"I think it's bigger than the money. Basically we want to do something here, because we are so far away."
FOCUS Club member Jessica Lum said the interdenominational Christian club is taking part, and writing a prayer for Japan or Bible passage on each crane they fold.
"I've known how to fold the cranes since I was six years old," Lum said. "It's a neat way of combining Christianity with Japanese tradition."
