Hello Kitty, celebrating her 50th anniversary, is welcomed to the Terasaki Budokan by fans of all ages for the monthly party.
Hello Kitty and a hip-hop calligrapher wow young Little Tokyo party guests.
By ELLEN ENDO
RAFU SHIMPO
In a city where the number of unhoused families continually grows, Mary Davis remains steadfast in her mission to bring joy, music, and smiles into the lives of unhoused families living on Skid Row.
Since forming the nonprofit Worthy of Love L.A. (WoL) in 2013, Davis and her husband, Ari Kadin, have been holding monthly birthday parties for children living at the Union Rescue Mission, the only Downtown Los Angeles shelter that allows kids.
According to a June 10 Los Angeles Times article by Paloma Esquivel, “There are more than 100 families living (on Skid Row) now, with more than 200 children. The large majority stay at the mission.”
Greeting the buses were Little Tokyo BID safety captain Michael James, left, renowned muralist Robert Vargas, Little Tokyo Rotary Club president Alan Kumamoto, and Little Tokyo Business Association president David Ikegami.
Upon learning that the parties typically take place on the URM roof, a Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA) board member proposed collaborating with WoL to host a party at a venue in neighboring Little Tokyo.
“We rarely hear about the impact that the homelessness crisis has on children, but it’s time we start. In 2020, LTBA and WoL partnered for the first time. The party became an annual event and opened the door to a long-standing partnership designed to create uplifting experiences for families and children experiencing homelessness. Each party has been unique, featuring everything from a petting zoo to lion dancers to pop music-infused ondo dancing.”
That same year, LTBA established a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation doing business as the Little Tokyo Legacy Foundation (LTLF), to explore a range of educational, cultural, and community benefit programs.
On Nov. 21, at LTBA/LTLF’s fifth annual party, Davis’ dream of expanding the party was realized when four buses rolled up to the Terasaki Budokan carrying 300 children and parents from Hope Gardens in Sylmar, Angeles House in South L.A., and Salvation Army Westwood Transition Village in addition to youngsters from the Union Rescue Mission.
By popular demand, Hello Kitty, who had appeared at the 2023 party, made a rare repeat appearance as she celebrated her 50th anniversary.
Performance artist Kuniharu Yoshida was among the 350 children, parents, and volunteers who gathered Nov. 21.
Entertainment featured Kuniharu Yoshida, who combined his shodo (calligraphy) artistry with hip-hop moves, creating a new type of performance art. Wesley Nishinaka served as emcee and coordinated the stage program. The party also included face painters, balloon sculptors, and sketch artists.
Kuniharu Yoshida
Party organizers shared a high-five moment and thanked the Rotary Club of Little Tokyo and Arts District/Little Tokyo Neighborhood Council, who jointly donated funding for the buses. They also expressed appreciation to Sanrio Company Ltd., who made Hello Kitty’s appearance possible and contributed gifts for the children, including those who were unable to attend the party.
Special thanks went to Don Tahara of First Street Cuisine for providing dinner and Brian Kito of Fugetsudo for his L.A. mochi dessert. Ron Wakabayashi and Budokan Director Ryan Lee were also recognized for their support.
Volunteers represented Bee a Little Better, Skid Rowkyo, Little Tokyo Dance Club, Centenary United Methodist Church, LTBA, LTLF, and the Budokan staff.