Get Involved

Ways to Support Yu-Ai Kai

There are so many ways you can support Yu-Ai Kai and be involved - donate, volunteer, shop!

Donate

In addition to your time and talents, your financial contributions maintain our quality programs and services. Contact Debbie Saito, Fund Development Manager, at (408) 294-2505 about any questions you may have.

Donate using PayPal or other credit cards. Just click DONATE.

Planned Giving: Endowments, will, trust, stocks, property. You may be able to increase income, reduce taxes, including estate taxes, and provide for future heirs.

Employer Gift Programs: Designate your annual workplace campaign gift to Yu-Ai Kai and check if your employer participates in a Matching Gift Program.

Individual Contributions: Yu-Ai Kai is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, and contributions are tax deductible. We accept cash, checks, credit cards.

Sponsorship: Your organization and/or business can make a difference at Yu-Ai Kai through sponsorship of an event or on-going service. Its a wonderful way to show your support and introduce your name and services to the community. Check out the list for the best opportunity for you! Sponsorship Opportunities List

Corporate Sponsorship: We offer businesses opportunities for high visibility at our special events and programs. Promote Yu-Ai Kai to your companies and business contacts and let them know that opportunities exist to:

* Become a corporate sponsor at a fund-raising event
* Underwrite one of our special events
* Support employee gifts with matching corporate contributions
* Contribute in-kind gifts
* Make a corporate contribution

The Giving Tree - A Donor Monument
Crafted by metal sculptor, Michael Yoji Nagamoto, the Giving Tree is a permanent display in the lobby of the Akiyama Wellness Center and offers you an opportunity to contribute towards the success of our healthy aging programs. Click here to learn more about how you can purchase an engraved leaf or foundation stone.

Other: See our Wishlist!

Japanese Collectibles
Do you have Japanese kimonos, yukatas or hakamas taking up precious space? Japanese dolls, dishes, or tea cups that are never used? Consider donating them for sale. Many items are sold on consignment while others go on sale at the annual Spirit of Japantown festival in October.

Volunteer

A nonprofit organization, like Yu-Ai Kai, cannot operate to its fullest potential without the support of volunteers. Fortunately, Yu-Ai Kai has continued to have a strong volunteer base. A strong base allows Yu-Ai Kai to offer programs and services that maintain quality for its participants. A person who comes to Yu-Ai Kai to offer their services will never have to worry about being bored or entertained. Also, whenever a volunteer steps into the Yu-Ai Kai building, they can be assured that their work is greatly appreciated throughout the community. Thank you for considering Yu-Ai Kai as a place to volunteer time to better help the senior community. Click here to download a Volunteer Application & Agreement Form.

The following list shows where volunteers are needed. Please contact Julie Hubbard (at Yu-Ai Kai) or Lisa Itatani (at Akiyama) for more information.

Senior Day Services - The Senior Day Services program is a community based group Adult Day Care Program designed to meet the needs of adults with functional limitations. As a volunteer, you would assist the trained staff in preparing activities for participants. A volunteer in this program would find themselves in continual contact with the program's participants.

Senior Nutrition Program - This Program provides a nutritious, ethnic meal to seniors age 60 and over. This popular Program offers meals Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to answer telephones and take reservations, prepare meals in the kitchen, set tables, serve meals to senior participants, or clean-up.

Library Aides - Yu-Ai Kai has a Japanese library open to the community at large. Anyone may come in and borrow books and videos free of charge. Volunteers are needed to help with both books and videos.

Office Help - Staff at Yu-Ai Kai are always in need of a person who can assist in filing papers or typing out simple forms. As a volunteer, you may be asked to assist Yu-Ai Kai staff by performing office tasks. Also looking for volunteers with specific skills in Joomla, web searches, etc.

Front Desk Reception - One of the most active and informative places in the agency is the Front Desk. Volunteers answer phones and greet visitors at the front desks of both Yu-Ai Kai and Akiyama Wellness Centers. Volunteers are needed during the lunch hour (12noon - 1pm) and during the other open hours.

Newspaper Rollers - Join this group of environmentally minded seniors! Volunteers help collect, sort, flatten and roll donated newspapers to be re-sold to florists. All proceeds benefit Yu-Ai Kai; last year, they raised $10,700 for the agency! Volunteers are need to help with set up for the rolling on Friday mornings (either Thursday afternoon or early Friday morning) and to help with the rolling on Friday mornings.

Event Volunteers - During certain times of the year, more volunteers are needed to assist in certain activities for Yu-Ai Kai. As a volunteer, you may be asked to assist in setting up for bi-monthly birthday parties, Health Fair, End of the Year parties, or fundraisers.

SHOP!

Purchase and Make your Dollars do Good - SCRIP -NOW OFFERING TARGET cards!
Yu-Ai Kai sells Scrip cards (gift cards) from a large variety of grocery stores, drug stores, and popular retail shops and restaurants. Gas cards and iTunes cards too! Scrip is sold at the front desk of Yu-Ai Kai. Depending on the store, a percentage of each card is donated to Yu-Ai Kai. If we don't have the card you are wanting available or you would like large numbers of cards, we can also special order cards. Contact Sue Yamamoto at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or call the Administration office at (408) 294-2505.

IGIVE.com
Sign up online and make purchases! Over 400 merchants participate in this program and make a donation with each purchase. For more information go to www.igive.com/yuaikai.

Yu-Ai Kai Cookbooks
Tried and true recipes from Yu-Ai Kai's membership! A wonderful book filled with traditional and not-so traditional Japanese, Hawaiian and American dishes. $15. Purchase at our front desk or call and find out how to have it shipped to your home. Mochi Recipe Books are also available for $3.

Jon Nakamatsu CDs
Internationally acclaimed pianist, Jon Nakamatsu performed at our 35th anniversary gala and you can now listen to his amazing music whenever you want. A variety of his CDs are available for purchase at Yu-Ai Kai for $20. A portion is of proceeds benefit Yu-Ai Kai.

Yu-Ai Kai Apparel
From the Nihonmachi Run shirts to Sake San Jose Kanpai shirts (www.sakesanjose.com/purchase) we've got something to express your Yu-Ai Kai spirit! Shirts are available via the Front Desk at Yu-Ai Kai.

Want to select your own items with the Yu-Ai Kai or Akiyama motif? Visit our CafePress site and design your own Team Yu-Ai Kai or Akiyama Wellness Center apparel online and have it shipped directly to you. Visit http://cafepress.com/yakshack1.

RENT ROOMS

Yu-Ai Kai and Akiyama Wellness Center both have rooms available the public to rent. CLICK HERE to view the facility rental agreement with application.