Happy holidays!

The annual Thanksgiving Eve event at Terry’s kitchen was a huge success. We had a record turnout and raised roughly $12,000.  It was great to see so many familiar faces, and so many new and young ones as well. A big thank you to David Suguro for all his hard work in organizing and procuring so many items for the raffle, silent auction, and the hilarious single live auction item.  Shout outs to Terry Takeuchi for the use of his restaurant and the fantastic food and drinks, Chris Suarez for organizing the pool tournament, Harold Taniguchi and his incredible impromptu auctioneering skills, and Gary Matsudaira and all the young folks (past scholarship winners) who worked the door and had to write so many raffle tickets. I am sure my son Shane, did not write this much in his first semester of college …. And of course, the biggest thank you to all those who donated so much and all the people that were able to attend to make this such a great event!

This holiday season feels the same and yet so very different.  These holidays bring a certain normalcy to a hectic and chaotic time.  They mark a time filled with fun, new memories, stress, apprehension, challenges, joy, and wonder.

As I looked out the at the packed tables and standing room only bar, it was nice to see so many young people — the next generation and the future of the Foundation and of our Country.

For our youth, we must remain hopeful and optimistic!  Our grandparents and parents remained committed in their beliefs for us, and our obligation now is to do the same for them.  We all must be stewards and help navigate through these times.

Joy and peace.