This spring, while visiting Carillon Historical Park or the Dayton Art Institute, you may notice an abundance of colorful blossoms on the grounds of these popular local attractions. Thanks in part to a generous undertaking by Dayton Foundation donor Alex Hara, who was inspired to give back to the region after its generous response to a devastating tsunami that hit his native homeland in 2011, Japanese flowering cherry trees are now beautifying Greater Dayton.
One of the most significant efforts carried out by Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees was planting 150 cherry trees at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
“Thousands of miles away here in Dayton, I watched the videos of the aftermath of the tsunami and wondered what I could do and should do to help,” said Alex, a retired executive director for JPMorgan Chase who has lived in the area since 1979. “Three days after the tragedy, I initiated Japan Earthquake Relief Funds, and Dayton Daily News published a small article about the effort. The article led to receiving check after check. In just three months, I collected $33,000 in donations. I was so moved by the generosity of the citizens of Dayton that I wanted to do something to say, ‘thank you.’”
Alex came up with the idea to plant 1,000 cherry trees, which commonly are seen in Japan as symbols of unity and social harmony, to demonstrate his gratitude for his American neighbors’ kindness.
“Cherry blossoms are something very special to the Japanese. I thought there was nothing better than cherry blossoms that represent the very heart of gratitude of Japanese people for what the citizens of this community had done for them,” Alex said.
For a donation, Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees will plant a cherry tree and install a memorial plaque to commemorate a loved one or to recognize your support.
To help make accepting donations easier, Alex created the Operation 1,000 Cherry Trees Fund, a Charitable Checking AccountSM, in 2012 through The Dayton Foundation. “My CCA allows people to make tax-exempt donations,” Alex said. “Our association with The Dayton Foundation gave the project credibility and helped encourage people to give.”
In the 15 years since Alex embarked on this project, he has more than met his goal to bring 1,000 cherry trees to the region, prompting him in 2017 to change the project name to Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees. Including the trees planted at Carillon Park and DAI, more than 1,700 trees have been planted throughout the region, in places such as Bellbrook Middle School, Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, GE Aerospace EPISCenter, John Wolfe Park, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Stubbs Park and many other locations.
Sadly, one of these locations – Sinclair Park in Harrison Township – saw almost all of its trees wiped out because of the 2019 tornadoes. Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees not only planted 47 trees to replace those lost, but it also developed a new program to encourage even more planting at the park.
Consul General of Japan Hajime Kishimori (left) poses with Alex Hara at Carillon Historical Park in April 2025. During his visit, Consul General Kishimori expressed appreciation for how the cherry trees strengthen the cultural bonds between Japan and the United States while beautifying the Dayton Region.
“When Michelle Lovely at The Dayton Foundation connected me with a woman who wanted to plant a tree to celebrate her father’s 100th birthday, I suggested that she plant a cherry tree in his honor at Sinclair Park,” Alex said. “I thought this would be a great way to honor loved ones and rebuild the park in the process.”
Thanks to this new effort, individuals who wish to memorialize or honor loved ones can donate a cherry tree and mark the occasion with a commemorative plaque.
“I was so moved by the generosity of the citizens of Dayton that I wanted to do something to say, ‘thank you.’”
–Alex Hara, Dayton Foundation donor and founder of Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees
“By donating $500 to Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees, we will plant a cherry tree to commemorate a special loved one in your life or recognize your own support. Your tree will have its own personalized plaque placed by its side for generations,” Alex said.
This legacy of giving back is rooted in Alex’s upbringing in Japan, where memories of World War II ending as a young child still haunt him and serve as his inspiration to help others.
“The city I lived in was devastated by the heavy bombing, and food was very scarce. My parents took whatever they found at home and went to the remote countryside and looked for farmers to exchange those items for food,” Alex recalled. “At this point in my life, it is my privilege to be able to help others in need. You never know when you may be in their position. Helping others makes me feel like I’m just doing my part.”
To support Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees or learn how you can honor a loved one by donating a cherry tree, visit operation2000cherrytrees.com.