When Mollie Oto passed away in January of this year, Sacramento lost a community leader and a very special person. Her legacy was felt at this year’s Big Day of Giving Telethon on May 4th. We interviewed her daughter, Cheryl Inouye, who talked about a $5,520 gift to ACC from Oto’s Marketplace and Ray Yamamoto of A Sushi Experience.
According to Cheryl, every year during the Christmas Holiday season, Oto’s Marketplace, together with their employees, Mollie Oto, and Ray Yamamoto (A Sushi Experience), come together to raise money for charity.
Cheryl said her mother was a very generous person and gave donations to many groups including Special Olympics and the American Cancer Society. If you went to her home, she would have stacks of envelopes with donations on the table. ACC is one of the organizations that she supported and believed in because of what it does for seniors.
During the holiday season, Oto’s Marketplace has a raffle with its employees, where Oto’s provides the prizes, chooses a charity, and employees purchase raffle tickets. Cheryl said both Mollie Oto and Ray Yamamoto each match the employee’s donations – dollar for dollar.
Historically, they supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation. But in 2020, when COVID took its financial toll on local nonprofits, Oto’s Marketplace decided to direct their giving locally. In 2020, they chose Meals on Wheels by ACC. In 2021, they received a letter from ACC in celebration of its 50th Anniversary and decided to choose ACC Senior Services.
Cheryl shared they are very proud they had 100% participation from approximately 45 employees, especially with many of the young employees whose first job out of high school is at Oto’s Marketplace.
Cheryl also shared a wonderful story about one of their prize winners who had to dig deep for the extra $20 to purchase one ticket, not only with the hope to win but knowing it was going to a good cause.
Cheryl talked about her mother’s work ethic, love of the community, and taking any leftover bentos to ACC Greenhaven Terrace to share with the residents. Cheryl said her mother was all about giving back and that seniors need a purpose. This is a wonderful legacy for Mollie Oto, Oto’s Marketplace, and Ray Yamamoto of A Sushi Experience.
From ACC Senior Services a heartfelt, thank you to Mollie Oto, Oto’s Marketplace, and Ray Yamamoto of A Sushi Experience for their generosity and many years of support to the local community and ACC.
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