May - July 2007
Wall Street Volunteers for HOPE Charity Event
On May 12th, 2007 the Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel on Rokko Island hosted the inaugural HOPE International Development Agency charity event in the Kansai. Members of the Kansai business, education and government communities stepped forward along with many individuals to support this worthy agency and the work they are doing to help families in Sri Lanka rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami of 2005. Osaka's Mayor, Mr. Junichi Seki gave an opening address that underlined the importance of coming together and supporting others.
HOPE international executive director David McKenzie and Asia director Lowell Shepard were on hand to help everyone understand both the hurdles to success and the incredible record of achievement that HOPE is currently building upon. Attendees came away with both a better understanding of the problems families are still facing in Sri Lanka and a sense of hope that we can help people to help themselves through our donations. HOPE International has an effective aid model that insures, through the positive ripple effects of a small loans program, that donations are magnified as families pay back their loans and in turn become involved in supporting others.
Wall Street Associates played a major role in proactively assisting HOPE International in bringing together our Kansai community. West Japan director Paul Dupuis and HR team manager Ms. Naoko Masumoto worked together as Masters' of Ceremonies and walked everyone through the evening events in both Japanese and English. We look forward to supporting HOPE International in what will certainly be an annual event!
Naoko and Paul took the role of Masters' of Ceremonies
