is a founding Board member of the JACCC and has actively supported activities throughout the Japanese American community through The Aratani Foundation. The JACCC’s 880‐seat Japan America Theatre was renamed the George and Sakaye Aratani Japan America Theatre in recognition of their lead gift to our capital campaign in 2001. Mrs. Aratani is also being honored for her contributions and support of music and the performing arts. She will be receiving the Chairman’s Award.

is a pioneering role model for her innovative work in developing the next generation of donors and patrons in the community. Through her Senior Foundation Charitable Corporation, she has brought together Japanese speaking and English‐speaking members of the community to join in her important work. Her passion and tireless devotion to philanthropy is driven by her desire to improve the quality of life of seniors and others in our community. Her significant contributions toward improving the lives of others will be honored with the Pacific Pioneer Award.

We’re also excited to announce that at this year’s Dinner, we will be presenting the JACCC’s inaugural Community Spirit Award. The Community Spirit Award was created to recognize the unsung heroes of the community; the individuals whose unwavering dedication and commitment have had an immeasurable impact on the people and organizations around them.

To shine a light on the contributions of these individuals, the JACCC launched a campaign for nominations from the community. After receiving a great number of nominations, an eight-member selection committee of board, staff and Dinner Committee members met to review the candidates.Selecting only three awardees for this inaugural award was a difficult task as all of the nominees were well deserving of this award.

The recipients of the First Annual Community Spirit Award are June Aochi Berk, Rumiko Nakatani and Amy Phillips Kushigemachi.