In connection with the JABA Installation Dinner and Gala, the Japanese American Bar Association Educational Foundation (“JEF”) held a silent auction and raffle fundraiser, which featured limited edition toy collections from Bandai America, a one-of-a kind gaming packing from Naughty Dog Studios that included limited edition Eric Scarecrow and Uncharted Comic-Con and autographed merchandise, Dodgers Prime Ticket passes, beautiful keepsakes donated by the Japanese American Cultural Center, artwork from the Andrew Weiss Gallery, and cookbooks autographed by dinner honoree, Iron Chef Morimoto.
JABA members and supporters showed their strong support by helping raise over ten thousand dollars for JEF’s scholarship programs, which benefits students pursuing a legal education. JEF President Lynn Whitcher noted, “This was our most successful fundraiser yet, and we are grateful for the long-standing support of JABA, its members, and friends. We couldn’t do this without them.”
JEF awarded four $2,000 scholarships this year to deserving law students. JEF is proud of the many achievements and contributions to the Asian Pacific American community made by each of the applicants. JEF’s scholarship recipients for 2012 are: Amy Inagaki from USC Law School, Timothy Shimizu from UCLA Law School, Lisa Foutch from USC Law School, and Karyn Ihara from Loyola Law School.
Scholarship recipient Karyn Ihara said, “I am very thankful for everything JABA has given me – friends, mentors, and now a scholarship! I hope to someday be able to give back even a fraction of what I have received from JABA.”
JEF would like to acknowledge and thank the Lim Ruger Foundation for its generous contribution in providing a scholarship for a sixth consecutive year. JEF looks forward to its continued relationship with the Lim Ruger Foundation. In addition, JEF would like to thank all of the donors who contributed to this important and worthy cause, as these scholarships would not be possible without them.
JEF invites you to join them on May 18, 2012, for their third annual theater night fundraiser, which will feature the East West Players production of A Little Night Music, a Stephen Sondheim musical about love, marriage and infidelity inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night and featuring the beloved song, Send in the Clowns. A pre-show reception will be held at the historic Little Tokyo Chop Suey Restaurant. Free wine will be offered by the theater. A post-show Q&A session with the cast will be held for JEF guests. Tickets are on-sale now. Contact Lynn Whitcher at 310.315.8279 or lwhitcher@mcguirewoods.com or Diana Nishiura at 213.897.2160 or dnishiura@msn.com for additional details.
