SAN FRANCISCO — Kimochi Inc., the San Francisco-based senior service agency, will present the Kimochi Spirit Awards on Saturday, May 17, from 12 to 3:30 p.m. at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post St. at Fillmore Street in Japantown.
The awards recognize individuals and corporations that inspire with their leadership and unite community with their giving. They are ardent in their work to bring positive change, whether through acts of legislation, advocacy and counsel, or by lending a hand to help people find a better place. This year’s honorees aer:
Kimochi Staff Award: Grace Yip, Nutrition Program
Kimochi Volunteer Award: Kyle Kuniyoshi, producer of “Sansei Live,” Kimochi’s annual fundraiser
Special Nihonmachi Award: Rosalyn Tonai, National Japanese American Historical Society executive director
Special Nihonmachi Award: Warren Furutani, former state assemblyman (2008-2012) and member of the API Legislative Caucus
Corporate Award: AT&T
The emcee will be Robert Handa of KTVU/Fox 2.
Entertainment will be provided by the J-town Jazz Ensemble, the Ayako Hosokawa Quartet, Colette Ikemi with Mark Zanini, and the Kimochi Singers.
Masanori Murakami, who became the first Japanese-born Major League Baseball player when he pitched for the San Francisco Giants in the 1960s, will make a special guest appearance.
A pre-reception meet and greet will take place at 11 a.m.
Raffle drawing includes two round-trip tickets to Japan, courtesy of Japan Airlines, as grand prize.
Sponsors: PG&E, California Pacific Medical Center, AT&T, AARP, Asian Week Foundation, Flanagan Family Foundation, Mary Ishisaki, Japan Airlines, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Union Bank, United Airlines.
Admission is free. To RSVP, call (415) 931-2294.
For more information on Kimochi, visit www.kimochi-inc.org.