Nominations being accepted for Okamoto volunteer and leadership awards

The committee for the 2011 Kay Okamoto Volunteer Award and Takeo Okamoto Leadership Award announced on June 16 that they are now accepting nominations for two awards to recognize individuals who “demonstrate a deep concern for the Nikkei community within which they actively participate.”

The award recipients will receive a total prize of $1,000 each, with $500 being awarded to the recipient and $500 donated to an organization of the recipient’s choice.

The awards ceremony will take place during the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California’s annual event Saturday, Sept. 24.

In 1988, the Okamoto Family established the Kay Okamoto Volunteer Award to recognize an individual who exemplifies Kay’s spirit of volunteerism has generously volunteered his/her time and talents to strengthen the community.

The Takeo Okamoto Community Leadership Award is presented in memory of Takeo Okamoto, who was a pioneer in the San Francisco Japanese American community for more than seven decades. The award goes to individuals who exhibit the modest and scholarly “spirit” who have positively impacted the Japanese American community through his or her long-term commitment.

For a nomination form, or for more information about the awards or the annual event, contact the JCCCNC at (415) 567-5505. The community may submit nominations to Marjorie Fletcher at mfletcher@jcccnc.org, or via U.S. mail (JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115). Nominations must be postmarked or e-mailed by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011.