Toshimi Sembo & Mariko McInnis
“It’s hard to believe that CHAS has now been a part of my life for almost 20 years! Time flies when you’re making lifelong friends and helping uplift children. ”
“When the idea of bringing together the next generation to raise awareness of and carry on the CHAS mission of helping children and youth in Calgary, I was excited to be able to help out.”
Toshimi Sembo - I still remember receiving a telephone call from Dawn Thrasher, then CHAS President, inviting me to join CHAS when space became available. I was honoured and intrigued but also very nervous. Awhile later, I went to a delightful CHAS coffee party at my neighbour, Muriel Johnson’s home and was sold on CHAS. It’s hard to believe that CHAS has now been a part of my life for almost 20 years! Time flies when you’re making lifelong friends and helping uplift children. By the way, this is Muriel’s 40th year!!
I was so excited when CHAS Next was created for a group of younger working women to come together to raise funds and to volunteer to improve the health and wellness of children in Calgary. I immediately and definitely wanted my daughter, Mariko to be a part of CHAS Next.
It’s great to share a common goal of helping others outside our family, especially children. Also, Mariko has the opportunity to experience the rich comradery of young women working together to learn about the needs in our community, come up with ideas to raise funds and to turn the ideas into reality. Mission accomplished!
Mariko McInnis - CHAS has been a big part of my Mom’s life for almost as long as I can remember. I’ve been lucky to see the positive impact CHAS has made in the community as well as the strong friendships that have grown from this volunteer organization.
When the idea of bringing together the next generation to raise awareness of and carry on the CHAS mission of helping children and youth in Calgary I was excited to be able to help out. I’ve been lucky to be able to work with a great group of young women who have become good friends and I’m very proud of the work we’ve done as CHAS Next so far.
One of many good memories of CHAS Next was participating as a team in Woman2Warrior, a women’s obstacle race in support of Easter Seals Alberta and CHAS.