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NYdV News

It’s been 5 years since NY de Volunteer (NYdV) was founded. In these 5 years, we organized 300 volunteer activities in total and now we have 1,500 registered volunteers.

Recently, Introducing Japanese Culture Program of NYdV was approved as one of the afterschool programs of NYC. This program is 8-part series program and the first Japanese NPO will conduct the City’s program. This means NYdV’s programs were recognized for its quality and achievements by NYC. NYC funded for this program 2,500 U.S.D. We thank you for your encouragement and support for these years.
This program aims to wide children’s perspectives through being exposed to different cultures and make them aware that they are “a part of the world.”

This program starts from January 2007, held on Wednesdays, 6 pm -8 pm , for about 30 kids who are 6-13 years old. We will introduce the life and clture of Japan from different directions such as Basic Japanese Language, Fun for kids (Origami, Sudoku, Playing tag), Food, Kendo, Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, Bon Dance.

The reason why this kind of program is needed in NY, which is famous for racial melting pot, the director of Afterschool Program at the Recreation Center told us:
“We live in a multi-cultural city. But when you come to Harlem, you forget about it. Because many of them are same kind of people. These kids are our future, future doctors or future lawyers. They need to experience many different things at school but it’s difficult for many of them to go out of their community. So it’s great to have a cross-cultural NPO like NYdV visit us . I want to urge anybody lives in NYC, please come here to show the different world to the kids. The more familier they are with the community, the better human beings they will be in the end. I believe it helps them to respect the differences and to become broad-minded people.”

This time, we implement this program as a pilot program. Once they satisfy with our program, they will look into this as a full-year program. The program could be the pillar of our activities. We are all working hard on this program. We consider this program as a good chance for volunteers to continuously join our activities. This program as could also be an intermediate program for those who participated our Tankentai volunteer activities many times and want to volunteer in more active way, or those who like to step up the communication with same kids through meeting every time.

We believe this would be a challenging program for these volunteers whose active invovement is expected ; such as. They need advance preparation such as creating a text, teach kids as a teacher, etc. We are going to inform the details via email. Please join us on this occasion.

We still need funding for conducting this program. Your contribution would be deeply appreciated.
Staff@nydevolunteer.org

On the final day of the 8-part series Introducing Japanese Culture Program, all of the kids will wear Yukata and dance “Bon dance” together. Currently NYdV only has 25 Yukatas for adults. We accept any size of Yukata, for male, female, adult, children.
We would appreciate it if you could donate unneeded Yukata. We also need Origami, tools for Calligraphy, or materials essential for introducing Japanese culture. If you would like to make a donation of goods, please call or email to Noriko Hino:
Tel: 212-932-7208 　
e-mail: Noriko@nydevolunteer.org 　

NY de Volunteer,　”NYdV,” opened an office in May 2005 for orientation sessions, workshops, meetings and for NYdV staffs to plan and prepare its activities. Having the office enables NYdV to provide a wider range of activities and to improve efficiency.
However, the rent has been a financial burden.
Hence we are looking for companies which can support us by providing free office space large enough to have three computers.

For any inquires, please contact Noriko Hino:
Tel: 212-932-7208 　
e-mail: Noriko@nydevolunteer.org 　

Felissimo and NydV collaborate a project “Alumonde.” One of the project that Felissimo created is DESIGN 21: Social Design Network. It is where members of the design community, socially conscious individuals, local governments, businesses and non-profit organizations (NPOs) can address social concerns and create smart solutions through design. It's a place where like-minded people can connect to share resources, inspire each other and take action. Wear the cause! Make a social design statement with the Allumonde ring, designed exclusively for the Social Design Network by renowned furniture and industrial designer Richard Hutten.  Allumonde represents: commitment to the cause connection to one another continuity to the cycle of giving   - 19% to NY de Volunteer and 2% to UNESCO.

Allumonde Stainless Steel Allumonde Titanium Coating Allumonde Silver Allumonde Gold Price: $35 Price: $55 Price: $85 Price: $2,500

NYdV Activity Report 2006 September-December

Oct 15 Make up Workshop

Nov 21 Thanksgiving Volunteers

NYdV joined a Soup Kitchen Volunteer on Thanksgiving Day. The activity was organized by and held at Bowery Mission, an NPO for homeless. We have been participating regularly in their activities such as providing free lunches and donating clothes to the homeless.

Having turkey on Thanksgiving is similar to Japanese having Ozoni or Osechi on New Year's Day. It is the day when the Americans miss their families the most if they are not around. On the day like this, many volunteers gather to serve hot meals to the homeless.

The Thanksgiving holidays are the busiest time of the year at Bowery Mission. Around 700 volunteers from all over NY State gathered and served 2,500 dishes at the event. It was quite a different experience for us to serve dishes on Thanksgiving from any other activities that we had done in the past. The room was filled with holiday spirit, and the homeless seemed joyful as a result of being touched by kindness. It was a cross cultural experience for our volunteers by being part of one of the major American holidays.

Dec 7: NYdV Fundraising Party

NY de Volunteer hosted the annual fund raising event with Actress Masayo Kawaguchi and Actor Kenji Nakano on December 7th, 2007 at the Felissimo Townhouse. In this year’s fund raising event we featured Sake tasting event and performance by an internationally renowned opera singer, Ms. Tamura Asako. Also, attendees had an opportunity to win Plasma TV, name brand cosmetics, gift certificates for fine-dining NY restaurants, amongst other great prizes.
Among the guest list, Mr. Sato, Deputy Chief of Mission for the Consulate General of Japan in New York, gave a speech and encouraged NYdV for our daily social action programs. As a special guest, TV NY1’s reporter Sandra Endo gave a speech about NYdV and how she is proud of the group’s activity as a Japanese American.

The 10 names of Most Valuable Participants(MVP) for 2006 was announced and Mr. Oyama was honored on the behalf.
Raffle drawing was the high point of the evening as some attendees even bought $1,000 worth of raffle tickets.
The event was like NYdV, where the attendees were people of different ethnicity, nationality and generation and everyone enjoyed the Felissimo Townhouse’s elegant space and networking with the NY community.
Here are some feedbacks we got from attendees:
“I look forward to coming to the NYdV’s annual fundraising event, but with the sponsor companies and performances, MC and the gorgeous venue this year, it became a very huge event and I felt the organization’s growth!!!! With the community’s awareness, I would like to strongly support the organization.”
“I came as a raffle prize donor and participated to the NYdV’s activity for the first time. Being here for the first time and to see the event first hand, I was very impressed at the size and the systemized organization, more than what I see in the website or any article on a newspaper. There are very few active organizations in the Japanese community in New York and I am determined to support NYdV’s further activities. I am glad I came along today.”
“I enjoyed the event tonight as my perception of volunteering and NPO has changed and I would like to participate in NYdV’s activity next year.”
The details of the event will be published in “NY Seikatsu Shukan” and “Yomi-time”.
NYdV’s mission is dedicated towards promoting civic participation for the greater New York metropolitan community and for deepening an understanding between the United States and Japan. To realize our mission, we need solid fiscal foundation and the revenues from the fundraising party will be used towards our activities and we would like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Last but not least, we would like to wish for your continued good health, happiness and success and look forward for your continued support.

PARTY SUPORTERS

Ms. Asako Tamura	Mr. Michael Spassov	Mr. Kenji Nakano
Ms. Masayo Kawaguchi	Mr. Hiroshi Sato	Ms. Sandra Endo
Felissimo Townhouse	Kintetsu International	Asahishuzo Co., Ltd.
Nanbu-Bjin Co, Ltd.	Ozeki Sake (U.S.A.), Inc.	New York Mutual Trading Inc.
Takara Sake USA Inc.	Choux Factory	Saji Japan Food Enterprises
Suntory International Corp.	Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd.	Yamaha Artist Services, Inc.
Pro Piano	Mitsu Wines

RAFFLE PRIZE DONORS

Funai Corporation Inc.	Watabe Sporting Goods	Amnet New York Inc.
Haba Labs USA Inc.	Exroyal Co. Inc.	Shizuka New York
Bottega DelVino	Sakagura	Sobaya
Shabu-tatsu	Sushi You	Sushi of Gari
Sushi of Gari46	Megu	The Kitano New York
Top of the Rock	Jeniette New York Day Spa	Yukiko Sato New York
New Country Porsche of Greenwich	Japan Airlines International

PARTY STAFFS

Chie Kobayashi,  Chie Fader,  Emiko Mizumura,  Hiromi Ogawa,  Isao Oba,  John Steven,  Kazue Nomoto,  Kazuko Hironaka,  Kazuko hironaka,  Kazumi Marks,  Kenji Nakano,  Kuboi Maiko,  Kuniaki Kageyama,  Masayuki Teshima,  Masayuki Tanaka,  Michiyo Takise,  Miyazaki Hideo,  Nakano Kenji,  Naoko Mori,  Nick Nakahara,  Noriko Hino,  Nozomi Terao,  Rie Maekawa,  Sean Matsuoka,  Tadao Fujimatsu,  Tomomi Teranishi,  Toshiko Yamamoto,  Yasuko Yamaga,  Yoko Essel,  Yoshio Ohyama,  Yukio Sakurai,  Yurika Mizuno 

Dec: Gift wrapping Volunteer

As part of NYdV's fundraising projects, we have been participating in a gift wrapping project organized by the well-known bookstore, Barnes& Noble(B&N). This project supports NPOs by allowing them to raise funds with tips from wrapping up gifts at B&N stores. This type of fundraising is common in the US and is done at shopping malls and other bookstores. This is one of many ways for volunteers to support NPOs. NYdV's volunteers volunteered at the B&N in Astor Place on 15th, 19th, and 23rd of December, 2006. Neither English fluency nor special skills were required. There were some instructions on how to wrap gifts by the store staff. Our volunteers showed their creativity by making some ornaments such as Origami to be attached to gifts. This event gave our volunteers an opportunity to interact with customers, to introduce Japanese culture, and to learn American culture such as different wrapping paper for people of different religions.

The total amount of tips and donations was roughly $350. We will utilize this effectively for our future activities. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

You Are the HERO 　2006 MVP

Here are the most active participants in 2006;

NYdV@Media

Request for donation of goods for bazar and raffles

Active Supporters

Message Connextion Bracelets

A NYdV original message plate is included. Front: Share Love. Be Happy. Back: NYdV

choose envelope from three types
B1000-02	B3075-01	B-2000
$60.00	$65.00	$50.00

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