Saturday, June 21, 2008

Kudos, Kay and Nelson on a great MDA charity event!



Last night, Lissa and I were able to support great people and a great cause, we had fun, and we were inspired all at the same time. The event I’m talking about was a golf tournament and banquet put on by Primary Properties and Primary Residential Mortgage. Now as a non-golfer, how in the world did I have fun and get inspired, you ask? Well, let me tell you about this unbelievable evening.

First of all, it was co-hosted by Kay Mukaigawa, who is the owner and broker of Primary Properties. We first met Kay when she attended our big workshop back in February. She is just a burst of energy, a dynamic RSVPstyle supporter and one of the most sincere people you’ll ever meet. We’ve become fast friends. She’s someone I truly admire for her work ethic and business integrity.

We also had the great pleasure of meeting her equally dynamic and very significant other, cutie pie Nelson Oyadomari. They make such a great pair because they have the same drive and compassion. Nelson is the branch manager of Primary Residential Mortgage. The two of them, along with their employees, put on this huge event all day yesterday and into the evening—a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This was their seventh annual golf tournament, and yearly they raise over $30,000 for MDA.

To me, the highlight was watching Kay and Nelson emcee. Those two need their own variety show—they are a crackup! They knew everyone by name, and as they were drawing winners for the hundreds of prizes, they would announce, this is such-and-such from such-and-such company, and they would tell a little bit about that person. What could have been a very long evening with the incredible number of prizes they had was just so entertaining. They raised a ton of money for MDA, and they made sure everybody had a smile on their face the whole time.

We were totally inspired. Kay and Nelson are as busy as two people can be. They have so many business and community commitments, and Kay even has an office in Tokyo and two teenage kids keeping her busy. With their incredibly demanding schedules, to put an event like this together drawing 300-plus people, to drum up hundreds of prizes and donations and spend months organizing every aspect—I know what it takes. I was blown away by how smoothly it went. You could just see how passionate they were about this cause and making sure that all who attended walked away happy and inspired.

This MDA golf tournament is just one of the many charities that they involve themselves and their companies in. We should all strive to be as community-minded. As a fledgling company, we’re not there yet, but we are working on plans to give back by helping charities that are near and dear to our hearts.

Great job, Kay and Nelson—you definitely are an inspiration!

P.S. You almost make me want to take up golf!

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