Tonari Gumi
50th Anniversary
Gala Luncheon
Saturday, October 12, 2024,
From 11:00am to 3:00pm
Delta Hotel in Burnaby
4331 Dominion Street
Thank you for celebrating
50 years with us!
Over 260 guests came together to celebrate Tonari Gumi’s 50th anniversary in the grand ballroom of the Delta Hotel/Grande Villa Casino in Burnaby on October 12, 2024.
Special Video Presentation:
Pioneers
A homage to those who had led the way: a special video showcasing interviews with its pioneers - Takeo Yamashiro, Michiko Sakata, Motoko Reed, Lurana Kikko Tasaka and Derek Iwanaka, created by a uniquely talented volunteer, John McCulloch.
2024 TONARI GUMI 50th ANNIVERSARY GALA LUNCHEON
THANK YOU to our SPONSORS!
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PATRON
Tom Kusumoto
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Ken and Junko Shinozaki
GOLD SPONSOR
Yuko Yasutake | Anonymous
SILVER SPONSOR
Henry and Yvonne Wakabayashi | Shinobu Homma
David and Jane Iwaasa | Fujiya Japanese Foods
BRONZE SPONSOR
Saeko Tsuda | Sumiko Hui | Chuichi and Machiko Nakahori
Charles Tasaka
50th ANNIVERSARY DONOR
Jane Yip | Wei Huei Chern | Norine Yamamoto | Masako St. James | Kimiko Sato
Hisami Yamamoto | Michiko Inaoka | Setsu Miyanishi | Leslay Fugeta | Roberta Nasu
Martin Kobayakawa | Janet Nasu | Daebin Im | Beata Jablonska | Louvaine Kadonaga
JET GOLF CLUB | Thiara Sad | Lucy Yuan | West Coast Gardeners Co-Op BC | Tina Nagata
Frank Asin | Jared Heimsoth | Dan Nomura | Akiko Gomyo | Koichi Kitagawa | Dianne Mukai
Ronin Property Management | TD Wealth - Tim/Nick | Kami Insurance Ltd. | Peter Buckland
Jim Nakano | David Emerson | Nelson Beaton | Doug Allen | May Ishikawa | Richard Iwanaka
Suki Wada | Mike Uyeno | Derek Iwanaka | Koichi Kitagawa | Cantrail Coach Lines Ltd.
Kiyoshi Higashitani | Yoko Hirate | Kelvin Higo | Kumiko & Don Iwanaka | Anonymous
Gifts in Kind
Hiroko Suart | Paul Gent | Design Tech Hair Studio | Carol Yamamoto | Louvaine Kadonaga | Rie Bucci
Junichi Hashimoto | David & Jane Iwaasa | GVJCCA | M&J Car Wash | Knifewear | Michiko Sakata
Artisan Sake Maker | Mamiko Van Horn | Eddie Hayashi | Asahi Baseball Association | Canadian Tire
Motoko Reed | Yvonne Wakabayashi | Makoto Inuzuka | Komori Kay | Terry Sasaki | TG Craft Club
West Coast Seeds | Trudeau Food Service | Evelyn Suzuki | Quilchena Golf & Country Club
Ocean Brands | Powell Street Festival Society | TG Garden Club | David Suzuki
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50th Anniversary Planning Committee Members
Masako Arima | David Iwaasa | Makoto Iwaasa | Don Mukai | Makiko Suzuki | Naomi Shikaze
Takeo Yamashiro | Evelyn Suzuki | Carol Yamamoto | Makoto Inuzuka | Barbara Tanaka | Kikko Tasaka
Event Photos
Silent Auction
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We are also accepting donations for the silent auction. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact:
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50/50 Raffle
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There will be a 50/50 raffle with multiple winners at the event.
Scratch that gambling itch and support Tonari Gumi at the same time!
Buffet Lunch
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Look forward to Delta Hotel’s Popular Festive Buffet!
Event MC:
Margaret Gallagher
Margaret Gallagher is the host of North by Northwest, BC’s highest-rated weekend show. She’s been a key part of the CBC family for more than 20 years, hosting CBC Radio One's Hot Air (2010 - 2022) as well as taking part as a regular on CBC Radio One's The Early Edition (2001 - 2018) and On the Coast (2018 - 2022). She also served as the BC host of CBC Radio 2's Canada Live and as a contributor on CBC TV’s Living Vancouver.
Margaret has worked with Tonari Gumi in the past as an MC for the sake tasting event.
Event MC:
Tetsuro Shigematsu
Tetsuro Shigematsu is a Japanese playwright, performer, filmmaker, comedian, and broadcaster. He is a former writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and also became the first person-of-colour to host a daily national radio program in Canada. His solo-work, Empire of the Son, has played in 18 cities to over 20,000 people
Tetsuro was the MC for Tonari Gumi's 45th anniversary celebration.