HOT Board Secretary Sheree Hsu grew up volunteering through school and church. She says it was always a given in her family to help others in any way they could. Sheree's family is from Taiwan, but she was born and raised in the United States, living in Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida, Atlanta and New York before moving to Asia 5 years ago.

While working in Atlanta, Sheree discovered two Georgia non-profits-Habitat for Humanity and Hands On Atlanta. She soon became an active volunteer tutoring children, helping on city clean ups and building houses. When Sheree's career took her to Hong Kong, Hands On Hong Kong had not been established yet, and she found fewer opportunities to volunteer. Once she moved to Tokyo two years ago and heard there was a Hands On affiliate here, she jumped at the chance to renew her commitment to volunteering.

Sheree's background and experience in volunteering made her an excellent candidate for the HOT Board of Directors. She has served as Board Secretary for nearly two years where her insights have helped to shape the direction of our organization. In June she was the HOT board delegate to the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, held annually in the U.S., from where she returned with a number of new ideas which HOT is beginning to implement.

Sheree is a leader outside the board as well through her role as project coordinator for the Special Olympics Bowling project. In the early days of this project before it was familiar to HOT volunteers, often Sheree and her husband were the only people participating. Thanks to Sheree's efforts to spread the word about how enjoyable and fulfilling this project is, it is becoming one of HOT's more popular programs. The "high fives" athletes share after bowling a strike tell the whole story.

Sheree says, "I volunteer with HOT because I think it is important to help others and support the community in which you live. It makes you appreciate what you have and allows you to share a bit in the lives of others." Thank you, Sheree, for living the mission of HOT every day. We are fortunate to have you on our leadership team.

If you visited Tokyo Tower during the last week of October, you may have been surprised to find a giant tent in the shape of a rugby ball there. The promotion was organized by New Zealand Tourism to deepen ties between Japan and New Zealand and promote the Rugby World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand in 2011. On November 1, New Zealand investment banking organization Bancorp took over the ball for a special event for their Japanese clients. Demonstrating its commitment to the Tokyo community, part of the program for the evening was a live auction to benefit Hands On Tokyo. HOT Advisory Board member Ted Fujita joined Bancorp Managing Director Craig Brownie to auction several exciting prizes including a rugby ball autographed at the event by the captain of the first Rugby World Cup won by New Zealand. This exciting and unique event raised over 300,000 yen for HOT. Thank you to Bancorp and your generous clients!

Further, we are still accepting donations for live and silent auction prizes. For information on how to have your company or business be a part of this most elegant event, contact: Marjorie.chiba@handsontokyo.org or visit our website to download donation forms.

National School for the Blind
English Conversation for High Schoolers
Dec. 12 (Sat) 10:00-12:00
(for ages 15 and up)

English Conversation for Blind Adults
Dec. 5 (project full); Jan. 9 (Sat) 9:45-12:00PM
(For ages 10 and up)

Second Harvest Rice Ball-Making
Dec. 11 (Fri) 10:00-12:00
(all ages welcome; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult)

Hakujusou Senior Home
Dec. 5 (Sat) 2:00-4:00 PM
(families and children of all ages welcome)

Wakaba-ryo Children's Home
Dec. 12 (Sat) 10:00-12:00
(For ages 10 and up)
Sponsored by:


Special Olympics Bowling
Dec. 12 (Sat)
9:40-12:00
(For ages 18 and up)

Special Olympics Motor Development
Dec. 12 (Sat) 10:00-12:00 PM
(For ages 16 and up)
Sponsored by: