Buddhist Women’s Association members enjoyed a festive BWA Year End Event on Dec. 11, 2021 thanks to 1st V.P., Jo desMarets, who served as chair. To insure a “safe” event, Jo and her committee decided to hold two 45-minute sessions in the social hall with a limit of 25 participants per session. On Dec. 11, the registration process included checking vaccination cards, temperatures, and asking folks to sign COVID-19 waiver forms with contact information.

Inside the social hall, everyone was masked but folks were smiling with holiday aloha. Many attendees headed first to the winter wonderland photo opportunity area for group pics. During the first session, Rimban Toyokazu Hagio, Rev. Sol Kalu, and Rev. Shingo Furusawa led enthusiastic participants in the Three Treasures using sign language. Jo also tapped into BWA resources for activities. Sharon Yokoyama partnered with Penny Atcheson to demonstrate how to pipe icing on gingerbread cookies to create a variety of holiday images. Jo magically transformed BWA members’ canes into “candy” canes and Char Kihara demonstrated how to fold origami lotus flowers. Happi coats made by BWA members were marketed at the “Make Me Happi” table.

BWA members generously donated many gift cards and gift items for this event. By the end of the prize drawings, every BWA attendee had won a prize! Many items were also donated for the Year of the Tiger take-home goodie bags which included craft projects, a Year of the Tiger keychain, and sweet New Year’s treats.

Jo commented, “Seeing everyone come together with such joy and gratitude for the opportunity to be in each other’s company was my favorite part of the morning! While our numbers were small compared to past Year End parties, the love and appreciation for friends was as great as ever!”

Submitted by Wendie Yumori