Gratitude for our Blaine’s Benefit Bazaar!
By Lesley Okura, photos by Kai Yamamoto, et. al.
On October 7, 2023 Blaine Memorial UMC resurrected the Benefit Bazaar after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic! This year’s beneficiary was Maui Recovery and Relief through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
With the help of those who donated time, talent, and hard-work, we were able to receive donations of plants, get good deals on meat and chicken for curry (as well as rice). Also, because of our volunteers, delicious menu items such as udon, ohagi and other delights were available. It’s these wonderful volunteers who really made this year’s Bazaar a success I hoped it would be.
Thank you, Rev. Karen, for making your first Blaine apple and blueberry pies, and for bringing your pastoral leadership and wisdom to us. Thank you, Rev. Mia, for shepherding our young people (which was kind of like wrangling kittens). Thank you, Yuki Sofronas, for taking care of the many inquiries, the posters, and for facility support.
Last but not least, I would like to give a big “Thank You” to our Blaine Family, specifically to our the list of volunteers. Listing all of our helpers would take six pages, so I will feature our “headliners” here and when possible, throw out hugs and pats on the backs for jobs well done in every committee. Your time and dedication are always welcome. You are absolutely necessary for success and your hard work is a heartfelt gesture toward UMCOR’s Maui Relief effort.
God answered my prayers. Thank you all for a wonderful community-based event that we have welcomed back at Blaine Memorial UMC!
Lesley Okura and Ron Nobuyama served as Co-Chairs for this year’s Benefit Bazaar at Blaine Memorial UMC.
Bazaar 2023 Supporters
Tsukemono
- Jim Okura
- Dave Hayasaka
Grill Pit Masters
- Joe Adolfo
- Jason Lew
- Tim Ikegami
- Howard Nakase
- Steve Sofronas
BBQ Marinade
- Steve Sakahara
Rice
- John Hodge
Poster Design Team
- Allyson and Steve
Farmers Market
- Wendy Yates
Produce Donation Support
- SK Produce
Plant Donations
- Dave Yorozu, T. Yorozu Gardening
Curry Meat & Chicken
- Red Apple Market
Curry Prep
- Tina Fujii
Rice & Food Storage
- Uwajimaya
Bakery Sales
- Julie Lock
Pie and Ohagi Sales
- Terri Adolfo
Ohagi Makers
- Donna Sekijima and friends
Pie Masters
- Ruth Watanabe
- Tom and Roberta Yoshioka
Set-Up
- Lynne Onishi and the youth leaders and helpers
Signage
- Kim Furugori
IT Support
- Susan Lee
Paper Goods Shoppers
- Ron Nobuyama
- Barbara Nagaoka
Cashiering
- Barbara Nagaoka
- George Yates
Take-Out Support
- Dale Watanabe
- Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Udon Bowl Support
- Lisa Mar
Bazaar Committee
- Lesley Okura
- Ron Nobuyama
- Barbara Nagaoka
- Sally Sekijima
- Anne Arakaki-Lock
Procurement, Etc.
- Brian Okura
Dishwashing
- Joel Ing and his dishwashing crew
Pastoral & Staff Support
- Rev. Karen Yokota Love
- Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
- Yuki Sofronas
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November 2023 Calendar
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