FVSO
Friends
of
Vinh Son
All operating expenses paid by the Board of Directors so 100% of your donation goes
to the children.
Our November Newsletter tells the how the sisters and the children are adapting to the new school year. There have been several changes, often reversals of rules that have kept the Sisters on their toes. We also continue our story with the Happy Baker, Y Thuan. VS3 has a new chapel and multi purpose building, Sr Gabrille is most happy.
We are closing in on the end of another challenging year. In early October the kids and the nuns celebrated their version of Thanksgiving called The Moon Festival. Your generosity helped make it a joyful event despite COVID. In late October, with kids worldwide, they celebrated Halloween although limited by tight COVID lockdown restrictions. Of course December is a big month with the Christmas celebration coming soon. Through all of the ups and downs of the last 19 months the kids and nuns have shown amazing resilience. The children have kept up with their studies despite constant distractions and have maintained their farms and livestock. Your support has made the impossible possible. The children and the nuns are most thankful. They keep you in their daily prayers
Fund Raising 2021
As of the end of October we have reached almost 47% of our goal of $150,000. 2021 was a real budget stretch for FVSO. The kids stayed "home" and were home schooled for much of the last 20 months. The shortage of proper buildings and food resources became acute. This year we sent over $120,000 just for capital improvements.
Your generosity in November and December of previous years gives us confidence we will reach our 2021 goal
Don't forget to use Smile.Amazon for your holiday shopping !
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:
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Elected Board Member & Past President 2006 & 2013 of Placer Co. Office of Education
Outstanding Placer County School Board Trustee 2011
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President of the Forgotten Soldier Program, Auburn CA
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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
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Placer High School Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2011
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Vernon McCann Award 1997 Outstanding Citizen of the Year select by the Auburn Journal
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Placer County Hero for outstanding work in the Co., the Placer Co. Board of Supervisors 2011
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Treasure of Feed the Hungry of Auburn
Selected Placer Co. 4-H All Star 2015 for support of the Gold Co. Fair livestock auction
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Distinguished President Auburn Kiwanis Club 1990 and current member
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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
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Past elected member of the Newcastle Sewer District
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Past& Current member of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
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Past member of Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Placer County
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Member of the first graduating classes of Leadership Auburn & Sierra Business Council.
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Member Placer H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame Committee
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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