25th HOPE Nagoya Gala

Friday, March 5, 2027

HOPE Japan began in Nagoya with a breakfast meeting and a small group of people who believed that a local community could make a lasting difference overseas. Robert Roche and Michel Weenick were among those at that first meeting. Timothy Soper, then General Manager of the Hilton Nagoya, agreed to host the gala. His encouragement, along with the support of successive Hilton general managers, including Herman Erlich and others, helped the galas grow across Japan and Asia.

The Honorary Committee reflects that history of commitment. Its members have played important roles at different stages, including Erin Sakakibara, who stepped in as Chairperson during critical years of growth. Over the years, people, companies, and organizations from Nagoya have helped HOPE Japan work alongside communities in Cambodia, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Japan. 

That support was especially visible after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. In the first ten days, trucks carrying urgently needed supplies left from the Hilton Nagoya for Tohoku. HOPE JAPAN later helped people start or restart livelihoods in 20 remote communities.

HOPE Japan celebrated its 25th year last year. Because COVID caused us to miss a year of galas, the March 5, 2027 dinner will be our 25th gala in Nagoya. We will celebrate what this community has helped accomplish, welcome Ly, Executive Director of HOPE Cambodia, and look ahead to the work still to come.

To everyone who has been part of HOPE over the years - supporters, volunteers, partners, committee members, and friends - we invite you to come together in Nagoya.

Let's celebrate the community we have built, recognize what we have accomplished together, and make an even greater impact in this milestone year. Join us at the Hilton Nagoya on March 5, 2027. We look forward to celebrating with you and building on what we can achieve together.

To help everyone join in next year, we have come up with various options for joining in. They are listed below: