President’s Message

With the end of 2014 nearly upon us, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every GVJCCA member and sponsor for supporting our organization this year. By helping us keep The Bulletin/Geppo alive, you are ensuring that our Japanese Canadian community remains connected. I also want to sincerely thank all of you who have supported us by renewing your memberships, volunteering at our events, and making donations. It is all very much appreciated and we couldn’t do anything without your help.    

While I was going through our new JCCA office this past weekend, I had the opportunity to see some of the donations and accompanying letters we received last month. The donations and messages came in all shapes and sizes, but I was most struck to see the amazingly kind and generous donations that we receive when loved ones in the community pass away. We are truly honoured and appreciative that you consider our organization when respecting the memory of your recently passed parent, uncle, aunt or any family member, friend or colleague.   

As you may know, the JCCA Board is working hard to improve our connection with the JC community and this year we are pleased to re-involve ourselves with the upcoming annual Nikkei Community New Year’s Party (AKA: Nikkei Shinnenkai), which will be held at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby on Saturday, January 10th. Doors open at 5pm and the reception is at 6pm. If you are interested in meeting people from our community, come out and join us. There will be delicious traditional Japanese New Year’s food as well as entertainment so don’t miss out. Our JCCA Directors will be selling tickets for this event and for more details, please see the inside back cover of this issue. 

The weekend after Shinnenkai will be followed by our annual Keirokai luncheon for seniors living in and around the Nikkei Home in Burnaby. This year the folks at Tonari Gumi will again be helping us coordinate this event at the Nikkei Centre on January 17th from 12-3pm. Lunch will be served with a mix of great entertainment and prizes. The cost for seniors will be $5 per person and the deadline for registration is January 10, 2015 so please sign up as soon as possible. 

Our first annual GVJCCA Japanese Canadian Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser is also coming up on Sunday, February 22 from 2-4pm at Grandview Lanes in Vancouver. Registration forms will soon be available on our website and through participating Japanese Canadian non-profit organizations from around Greater Vancouver. We hope you will join us for this all-ages fun event as well. 

And lastly, I want to thank the hard working and dedicated staff of The Bulletin/Geppo and our entire Board of Directors. You are all amazing and it has been such a pleasure working with you all. Although it has been a year of many challenges, I am so glad to be working with each of you. Together we are building a stronger organization, publication, and community, which can be enjoyed by all. Thank you once again!