Keiro residents often include recognizable leaders as well as humble contributors in our community. Below are reflections from a resident who was involved in fundraising for Keiro Retirement Home in the 1980s:

An Accomplishment for Our Community
By: Marion Manaka, Resident & Community Supporter

Our family has always been active in various community activities since the 1920s: Centenary United Methodist Church, Nisei Week, Fukuoka Kenjin-kai, Kasuya-gun Club, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Visual Communications, Little Tokyo Service Center, and of course, Keiro. We knew the Keiro founders through my older brother Willie Funakoshi, who was around the same age as them. I also went to high school in camp (Poston) with Edwin Hiroto.

In 1985, my husband and I attended meetings related to fundraising for Keiro Retirement Home (KRH). I had two sisters and one sister-in-law living at KRH. We thought Keiro was a much needed place, so we asked our friends for donations and pledges.

Now, as residents, my husband and I live full lives with friendly people and staff to watch over us. We feel safe and do not worry about what to do if something happens to one of us. Above all, our children appreciate the fact that they do not have to worry about us. Our great-grandchildren love to come here, eat in the dining room, and feed the koi in the koi pond.

We feel Keiro today is really an accomplishment for our community. This place is good because of all the community donations, wonderful volunteers, and hardworking administration. That is the magic force that has made Keiro popular and possible.

As Keiro celebrates 50 years, we hope that it keeps going as well as it is now, and that the younger generation will make it possible to continue so they can live here.

Read more Reflections on 50 Years.