AWWA celebrates 40 years, $7 million donation milestone

  • Published
  • By Airman Tara A. Williamson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Over the last 40 years, the American Women's Welfare Association has donated more than $7 million to American and Okinawan charities. This year alone, they have donated about $150,000.

Since 1972, AWWA has fostered relationships with the Okinawan community through donations, outreach, and community involvement.

The organization offers an opportunity for other U.S. military spouse organizations on island to support their community and coordinate financial resources to aid Japanese charities and American organizations.

"On the Japanese side," said Debi Panke, AWWA president, "AWWA has funded an oxygen concentration system for an elderly care facility, vans for transportation of the disabled and elderly, and food processing equipment so the disabled can learn life skills. Most recently, the Ryukyu American Historical Research Society helped students from a local orphanage [participate] in an English as a second language program back in the [United States]."

Kenkou Nakayama, a member of the Uruma City Welfare Council, works at a facility for elderly in Uruma City. The facility provides daily activity to the elderly of Uruma City, said Nakayama. About 300 people use the facility and enjoy doing karaoke or making crafts so they don't get bored sitting at home.

The AWWA donated a van able to seat six passengers and two wheelchair access slots.

"We display on the van that AWWA has donated the van to us," he said. "At any event, they always tell people the van came from Americans."

Proceeds from the Kadena Gift Corner, Marine Gift Shop Island Treasures, Navy Fleet Gift Shop- Home Store and Kids Cottage, and the Army on Okinawa Gift Shop, as well as Uncle Sam's Attic, the Kadena thrift shop, are used by members of the Army Community Group of Okinawa, Okinawa Enlisted Spouses' Club, Kadena Officers' Spouses' Club, Marine Officers' Spouses' Club, and the Navy Officers' Spouses' Club of Okinawa to use for AWWA.