Today we’d like to introduce you to Masako Sullivan
Hi Masako, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a founder and organizer of a volunteer group in Japan “Helping Hands for Tohoku” (helping disaster victims in Japan since April 2011), and a volunteer/Family Support Committee Chair at “Austin Japan Community” a non-profit organization, since April 2022.
[Helping Hands for Tohoku]
On March 11th, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck northern Japan. The tsunami reached as high as 132 feet, traveling six miles inland. Approximately 470,000 people became homeless, and many lives were lost. The disaster also caused a nuclear power plant meltdown.
At the time, my husband was a Naval officer on the USS MUSTIN (DDG 89), a destroyer stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. He participated in the rescue and recovery efforts of the U.S. Navy’s Operation Tomodachi, which involved thousands of U.S. service members, along with aircraft, ships, and other resources.
On Yokosuka base, a collection effort was underway to gather donations, label them, and pack supplies for delivery to affected areas. As military families say, “home is where you live.” Japan was home for the military families stationed there and many spouses stepped forward to help as well.
In April 2011, I learned that temporary shelters were being set up in the same prefecture where we lived. I called the shelters to find out their needs and visited them with donations. Friends and I got together, created a group on Facebook called “Helping Hands for Tohoku” where military spouses could share the supplies requested by each shelter. We started collecting and delivering donations to these shelters, with Navy families working together to help those in need. As we continued, more military families and local Japanese volunteers joined us, and our group grew to over 250 members.
After helping evacuees transition to new homes, we adopted 40 families in temporary housing in affected area to continue our support for several more years. During our visits, a group of elderly residents eagerly awaited us, sharing handmade accessories and origami decorations. Over time, we exchanged friendships, culture, support and gifts, shared hope to rebuild together.
[A Lasting Impact]
At one point, the temporary housing complexes were forced to close several years after the disaster. Many victims had to move into permanent housing, but many were separated from their communities.
One elderly woman, who had lost her family and friends in the tsunami, became isolated again. She shared with me that when she was watching TV or talking to the wall alone, her tears flowed. But when she stepped outside, looked up at the sky and remembered that people in the U.S. were still thinking of her and caring, she found the courage to move forward. Her words made me realize that our efforts were not just providing material support but also offering a sense of connection and hope for healing… we might have been saving lives.
[Ongoing Support]
Helping Hands for Tohoku continued its outreach by sending care packages and visiting communities and childcare centers annually.
In 2021, my family moved to Austin due to my husband’s job transfer, and we have been living in Round Rock since then. In April 2022, I joined the Austin Japan Community (AJC) https://austinjapancommunity.org/ as a volunteer/Family Support Committee chair. AJC hosts a variety of events to share Japanese culture, such as monthly meetups, children’s festivals at a park in Round Rock, and bilingual storytime at the Milwood Branch Library in North Austin.
With support from AJC, I was able to continue leading charity fundraisers for Helping Hands for Tohoku as an AJC volunteer. We partnered with Asahi Imports, a Japanese grocery store in Austin, to host fundraisers featuring beautiful handmade items from tsunami victims in Japan. The donations raised were sent to communities in need in Japan, along with those collected on the Yokosuka U.S. Navy base in Japan.
Austin Japan Community also started helping January 2024 Noto Earthquake victims with Helping Hands. Through these efforts, we have been able to become a bridge that connects Austin and Japan, expanding the circle of support and friendships.
This April marks 14 years of helping, and countless individuals have contributed to support Helping Hands’ efforts. It is a testament to the power of the community and the lasting impact of shared efforts.
News Articles:
https://www.stripes.com/news/2012-03-09/navy-spouses-continue-outreach-project-for-fukushima-residents-1876456.html
https://www.stripes.com/news/2019-06-28/military-families-grassroots-charity-still-supports-japan-tsunami-victims-eight-years-after-disaster-1490885.html
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I look back on our helping efforts past 14 years, my feelings of gratitude clearly outweigh the difficulties.
I never imagined Helping Hands’s efforts will last this long. This has been a “miracle” made happen by the kindness and support from countless people, including those who receive our donations. Our efforts have never been one-way. We share what we have and receive priceless gifts “friendships”.
Helping Hands also raised donations by selling handmade items from tsunami victims to support those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in Leyte Island and made donation to rebuild an elementary school damaged by a tornado in Oklahoma. We have been able to make a difference with support from countless people and I am grateful to be a part of this sharing efforts.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Being a mother of 3 children, I have always enjoyed organizing gatherings where parents and children meet and make friends. When we were living in Japan, I have organized monthly meetups for mothers and children who live on U.S. Navy base and local Japanese friends to expand friendships, share different cultures and enjoy time together. I have also organized a gathering of the disaster victims evacuating in Yokosuka city, where U.S. Navy base is, with the military families from base as part of our helping efforts.
After moving to the United States in 2012, I have volunteered at my children’s elementary schools in California as a committee chair for international festivals, PTA volunteer, classroom helper and in 2022, we moved to Austin and continued volunteering at middle school and elementary school. In 2023, I started working as a preschool teacher with my educational and career background.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being able to host events that bring community together. I have been enjoying volunteering at Austin Japan Community, organizing events for the children such as New Year’s Festival, Halloween Festival, Children’s Day Festival in the park in Round Rock, and bilingual storytime at Milwood Branch Library in North Austin.
Austin Japan Community is an organization dedicated to fostering connections between Japan and Austin, and hosts variety of events welcoming everyone who are interested in Japan and Japanese culture. Please find AJC’s upcoming events on our webpage and social media pages!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinjapancommunity.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin_japan_community/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/T9vHxAkksWI?feature=shared
