Flocks of Hope

Our Community Wish in Flight

According to ancient Japanese legend, if one were to fold 1,000 paper cranes then you would be granted one wish. During the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as a community we have only one wish—for everyone to be safe, to be healthy and to stay positive. To spread this wish, our Dublin community volunteered to fold paper cranes. We’ve received more than 2,500 cranes!

Visit the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) to see 1,000 paper cranes along the Abbey Theater of Dublin hallway. The Flocks of Hope will remain in flight at the DCRC through mid-October.

Once the paper cranes have finished their stay, the City of Dublin will divide and send the cranes with uplifting messages to shelters across Central Ohio.

“While we are not surprised at the response, it did catch us off guard to be so overwhelmed by emotions while reading all the community wishes,” Director of Community Outreach & Engagement Christine Nardecchia, said. “When you put them all together – it is really impactful. It beautifully represents a highly engaged, caring community that has honored each other as well as this Japanese tradition.”

Our Wish as a Community

1,000 Paper Cranes and Counting

You did it! Thank you to everyone who folded an Origami crane to add to our Flocks of Hope. For some this was the first paper crane you made and for others you are a master paper folder! We could not have surpassed our goal of 1,000 paper cranes without you. We are still accepting cranes through Sept. 7. The next step is to get the cranes ready to be displayed at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Stay tuned for more updates!

千羽鶴 (Senbazuru;1,000 cranes)

According to ancient Japanese legend, cranes are mystical creatures that live for a thousand years, and if one were to fold 1,000 paper cranes (one for every year) then you would be granted one wish. During this pandemic, as a community we have only one wish—for everyone to be safe, to be healthy, and to stay positive. To help spread this wish, we are asking our Dublin community to volunteer a little time to fold one or several paper cranes. Once we receive 1,000 cranes, they will be displayed at the Dublin Community Recreation Center to show our unity and resilience.

Where to Drop of Your Completed Paper Cranes

Completed cranes, of any amount, can be dropped off in marked bins inside the vestibules at either the Dublin Service Center Complex (6555 Shier Rings Road, Dublin 43016) from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., or the main entrance near the flagpole of the Dublin Community Recreation Center (5600 Post Rd, Dublin, OH 43017) from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. If you provide more than one paper crane, please put them in one large envelope or bag and write the number of cranes inside. Please drop off your crane(s) by Monday, Sept. 7.

How to Fold a Paper Crane

We have provided directions below on how to fold paper to make an origami crane, though you may use any tutorial you wish. To help spread encouragement and positivity, we also ask for you to write a message inside before folding the crane.

You may use any color paper you like, though we do ask to keep the paper size around 8½” X 8½” (standard printer paper folded into a square).

Our friends at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital share what the Flocks of Hope campaign means to them:

“The Dublin community has been amazing throughout this global pandemic. They have supported our front line workers at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital in many ways. Our associates and physicians who come to work every single day to take care of those who need it can feel the community support, and it provides them encouragement while helping with resiliency. We know that it has been a challenging time, and continues to be. But one thing I am sure of, this incredible community comes together, works together, and we will ultimately be better because of the support we show for each other.” Steve Bunyard, President, OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital

Questions and Contact Information

Questions about Flocks of Hope? Please contact Outreach and Engagement Administrative Intern Linus Yu at lyu@dublin.oh.us

Paper Crane Folding Directions

Instructional Video