Katie's loss leads to hope for others

Among the saddest stories to affect the Aisin family in 2011, was the loss of 14-year old Katie Wyatt, daughter of Doug Wyatt, AWA supervisor, Product Evaluation. Katie's three-year battle with Cancer came to an end on June 14, 2011.

Katie touched the lives of many, including dozens of friends, who remember her as being a sweet, funny girl, who loved to make people laugh, and a kind, giving soul certain to leave behind a gift of her own: the gift of helping others.

"She loved to make people laugh," say Katie's friends

Katie was inspired to give back when the Fenton, Mich., community in which she lived came together last January to organize "Katie's Game," a basketball game fundraiser to assist her family. Katie, who was so moved by the outpouring of support, said she wanted to provide the same support and love to children sharing a terminal illness, and help a local family with a child battling cancer.

With this in mind, the Wyatt family and friends pulled together a second "Katie’s Game," but this time a golf outing was held at Fenton Farms Golf Course.

Aisin, one of the many sponsors of "Katie's Game," contributed a gift of $1,500. All proceeds were donated to the Rainbow Connection, an organization which grants wishes to children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

The Rainbow Connection was there for the Wyatt family when Katie was in need, and now, through "Katie's Game" and other activities, the Wyatt family is supporting the Rainbow Connection… and honoring Katie's last wish: to help others.

To support the good work of the Rainbow Connection, please visit www.rainbowconnection.org.

Aisin runs for the Y

For the second consecutive year, Aisin partnered with the Plymouth YMCA as a sponsor of the 2011 Plymouth YMCA Father’s Day Run. Once again, many AWA and ATC-A team members participated as runners and walkers.

In addition to participants, AWA and ATC-A also provided volunteers to support the water aid stations along the course. Megan St. Aubin, Karen Bundoff, David Testa, and Erik Ronse made sure that all participants in this event had plenty of water and support to complete their races.

The Father’s Day Run is located in downtown Plymouth, and event organizers had a large turnout this year. Event proceeds go to the YMCA “Strong Kids Campaign," a scholarship program enabling the YMCA to provide needed financial assistance to children and families in the local community.

Thanks to the following AWA and ATC-A members who participated in the 2011 Plymouth YMCA Father’s Day Run:

• Masahiko Morichika
• Mike Jurlin
• Hiroshi (Ken) Takakura
• Akira Tanaka
• Yuji Iwata
• Sunny Hayashi
• Kyoko Hayashi
• Ed Thai
• Gary Francis
• Jeff Cuatt

CSR brings AWA, ATC-A team members together

Team members from AWA and ATC-A promoted social responsibility within the Plymouth community by supporting efforts to improve the Rouge River rescue effort. Though this was Aisin’s first year of supporting the annual event, it's not likely to be the last.

Portions of the Rouge River flow through many of the local communities near the Aisin campus in Plymouth. Unfortunately, many of these areas have been neglected over the years. Aisin was requested to support improvements in areas that flow through a popular, local area – the Lake Pointe Soccer Park. Invasive plants had taken over a water retention pond and the Aisin team was asked to replant the pond area with native plant species.   

Nearly 20 Aisin members showed up to battle the sun, the heat and the vegetation. AWA External Affairs supplied the native species plants, and a pre-kick-off luncheon, including a presentation on the Rouge River improvement status.

"Our group dug holes, spread compost and planted for a couple of hours," said AWA's Dennis Robbins, one of the volunteers. "In the end, the retention pond was looking good and our group stood back to admire the work and appreciate our role in community improvement.  Everyone said they felt they had done a 'good deed' for the community. And yes, we had."