Oct 11

Japanese American Community Coalition (JACC)’s August 23rd Japan Flood Relief Benefit

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On Thursday, August 23rd, JETAANY took part in a special fundraiser for flood relief efforts in Japan, featuring tastings of Japanese food and spirits. One hundred percent of net proceeds from this event went towards aid for those in western Japan who have been suffering from historic rainfalls and landslides this past summer. 

Japanese-inspired hors d’oeuvres as well as premium sake, wine, and beer provided by Chef John McCarthy of OKA were available, as well as special prizes. This was a collaborative effort of many Japanese/Japanese American and Japan-related organizations in NYC with the support of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. 

This was the first collaborative effort amongst the Japanese American Community Coalition’s (JACC) member organizations:

• JAA-Japanese American Association of NY
• HAA-Hoshuko Alumni Association
• JETAANY-Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of NY
• JMSA-Japanese Medical Society of America
• USJC-U.S.-Japan Council
• NYJALC- NY Japanese American Lions Club
• JACL-NY-Japanese American Citizens League of NY
• JAJA-Japanese Americans and Japanese in America

Net proceeds went to JAA’s Japan Flood Relief Fund to be distributed to the appropriate NPOs/NGOs on the ground and we will provide updates about the organizations selected. JAA, the Japanese American Association of New York, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. This event raised over $7,000 in net proceeds, which will help Japanese survivors recover and rebuild after the July floods that took 169 lives and resulted in the evacuation of over a million people (especially in the hardest hit areas of Hiroshima, Okayama, and Ehime Prefectures).

Additional support included endorsement from the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the hospitality and cooking skills of Chef John McCarthy, donations from ITO EN Tea, World Sake Imports, Skurnik Wines, and the wonderful contributors to our raffle: Japan Society, Asia Society, The Yagi family for the Sakagura restaurant gift certificate, Hiro Sake, Sanrio, Sake Man, Simon Chiew and Yasushi Sasaki, among other generous donors.

Also, a special thank you to our amazing volunteers and Kim Hyacinthe of JETAANY for her beautiful poster design.      

JETAANY was very grateful to be a key organizer of this joint fundraising effort and many thanks again for coming together as a community of New Yorkers to help communities in need in Japan and for your compassionate support! Until next time!