Little Tokyo Sparkle!

On Saturday, May 17, a volunteer clean-up event was held in Little Tokyo. It was called “Little Tokyo Sparkle: Nancy Kikuchi Volunteer Day.”

Volunteer clean-up efforts in Little Tokyo have been organized by the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association since the 1990s.

In 2016, Steve Nagano, a resident of Little Tokyo, took on the role of organizer. To honor the late Nancy Kikuchi’s tireless volunteer work in the Japanese American community, the event has also become known as “Nancy Kikuchi Volunteer Day,” continuing to expand its circle of participants.

This year marked the eighth “Little Tokyo Sparkle,” where volunteers gathered in the plaza in front of JACCC, responding to calls from local business owners and various community groups.

After a meeting, volunteers split into 13 teams and tackled the cleaning of 18 blocks in Little Tokyo. They collected trash, removed gum and stickers stuck to the ground, and washed windows, with each team focusing on their designated area.
This year also featured large-scale graffiti removal led by the Aikido Center of Los Angeles.

After the clean-up, volunteers enjoyed pasta, rice balls, snacks, and drinks from Little Tokyo’s restaurants. There was also a raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses, making it a day of both community service and enjoyment.