This past May, NBC Washington recognized the Society with a “Working 4 the Community” award, given to organizations who have contributed to Washington D.C.’s cultural and artistic landscape with diverse and educational programming. The Society was honored to be one of the recipients of this award during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month alongside two other organizations doing their part to promote Asian culture in the Nation’s Capital – the Washington Chinese Youth Club (CYC), and NOOTANA, an Indian classical music and dance ensemble.

The Society, along with CYC, NOOTANA, and supporters of NBC, gathered for a reception to celebrate the contributions of each organization. In addition, Donate Life – whose mission is to educate citizens about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation – presented a surprise check to the Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC for all they have done to support this endeavor. Donate Life partners with NBC Washington to promote the awareness and education of life-saving organ donations within local communities.

During the reception, Society President Abigail Friedman expressed her gratitude to NBC for recognizing our work in the community. The Society then gave a presentation about its free Japan-in-a-Suitcase educational outreach program, which visits 30-40 schools, libraries, and organizations yearly to teach young students about Japan and to inspire them to think about the world beyond our shores.