Meg shimatsu finds a new home

The LA Times recently gave an update to their story on Meg Shimatsu. If you remember, last year Steve Lopez shared the story of Meg, who was living in her Toyota Corolla and on the waitlist for a kidney transplant. I’m relieved and happy for Meg Shimatsu. In my opinion, that because of Steve Lopez’s story in the Los Angeles Times, many people reached out to her. She did start a gofundme to raise money for medical expenses related to a kidney transplant. Her goal was $10,000 and she raised more than that. I noticed that many donors had Japanese last names. there was a $1000 donation from Sunrise Japanese Foursquare Church. SFV JACL donated $200. Members of the SFV JACL also donated. There were many anonymous donations also. Phil Shigekuni from the SFV JACL spoke to her several times and invited her to some of their events. Because of the newspaper publicity, she connected with a former member of our chapter, Luke Shimatsu. Turns out they are related. I’m am moved by the generosity of the JA community. I wish her the best in her new home.

Author

Anne Chilcott, Immediate Past President of Ventura County JACL Chapter