FRIENDS

OF VSO

All operating expenses paid by the Board of Directors so 100% of your donation goes

to the children.

June 2020 Newsletter

It is June, it is hot, the world seems upside down but there are spots of sunshine and actions that can still make us smile.

Check our June 2020 Newsletter. Mike has done a wonderful job of capturing the core of what we do, well actually what you have done. It will make you smile.

Sometimes too many words spoils the message. So this will be short. When we started our mission 15 years ago we donated to the kids and sisters who were just scratching by. Today we are funding projects that will help them provide for themselves. To be sure, we have not finished our mission. There is still much much to do in health, education, social adjustment and self sufficiency.

For the first time we can now see the seeds starting to flourish.

With your continued help we will tend to that seed

and see it grow.

What a change for just a few weeks ago. The kids are back in school, with new social rules for maintaining health. The sisters are executing the capital projects your donations have funded for farms and an improved living environment. The each of the Sisters has expressed their personal thanks in the June Newsletter.

We continue to marvel at the resilience of the kids and the sisters through this difficult period. It would not be possible unless they knew we were there for them. The Sisters have told me that they and the children hold us in their prayers daily.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of FVSO we wish you a safe and secure transition through this difficult period. Please know that the nuns and the children have you in their prayers every day.

Please note the new tab below SHELTERING AT VSO. It has movies, pictures and letters from the kids during these troubled times.

Ken Tokutomi

Treasurer

E. Ken Tokutomi has been recognized by a number of groups for service in the community and in the region. Honors and memberships include:

Elected Board Member & Past President 2006 & 2013 of Placer Co. Office of Education

Outstanding Placer County School Board Trustee 2011

President of the Forgotten Soldier Program, Auburn CA
One of 18 Extraordinary Asian Pacific American in the U.S. 2011, selected by the

Pacific Citizen, the National Newspaper for the Japanese American Citizen League

Placer High School Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2011
Vernon McCann Award 1997 Outstanding Citizen of the Year select by the Auburn Journal
Placer County Hero for outstanding work in the Co., the Placer Co. Board of Supervisors 2011
Treasure of Feed the Hungry of Auburn

Selected Placer Co. 4-H All Star 2015 for support of the Gold Co. Fair livestock auction

Distinguished President Auburn Kiwanis Club 1990 and current member
Salvation Army Advisory Board of Auburn Past Chairman and current Treasurer

The Blood and Fire Award for Outstanding Service from The Salvation Army in 2014

Past elected member of the Newcastle Sewer District
Past& Current member of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Past member of Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Placer County
Member of the first graduating classes of Leadership Auburn & Sierra Business Council.
Member Placer H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame Committee
Current Treasurer & Past President of the Placer Co. Japanese American Citizens League

Chairman of the 442nd Memorial project located in Roseville Bill Santucci Justice Center