Community Service

Currently  updating our website.  Please look at Nippon-kan Facebook page for records after 2017.

Nippon Kan Community Service Awards

Homma Kancho and AHAN Nippon Kan Community Service Awards
Over the years, Gaku Homma, Founder of AHAN Nippon Kan Culture Center in Denver and the international AHAN Humanitarian Active Network has gained recognition locally, nationally and internationally through his dedication and service to the community both here in Denver and abroad. Below is a partial list of awards has been chronicled from 1994 through 2016.

2016 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
8/28/16
  • Lifetime Service Award-80,000 Meals 25 Years of Service to the Homeless in Denver
    Homma Kancho and AHAN Nippon Kan volunteers reached the milestone of 80,000 meals served to the homeless in Denver on August 21st, 2016. Homma Kancho was awarded a Lifetime Service Award by United Nations attaché Nepal Army CO of the Nepal Army Rangers.
    COL ANUP JUNG THAPA
    FOUNDER CO OF RANGER BATTALION
    RUC-AIKIDO NEPALESE ARMY
3/7/16
  • Nepal Army Day- Special Invitation for Gaku Homma Kancho attend as special guest at the Nepal Army Day Troop Demonstrations 2016- President of Nepal, General of the Nepalese Army General Rajendra Chhetri, American Ambassador to Nepal among other special guests.
    DGMT & D
    Maj Gen Rajendra Karki
    Nepalese Army HQ
    Bhadrakali , Kathmandu Nepal
2015 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
6/25/15
  • Appreciation Award from the Nepal Army Rangers for the development of the WWY (Were with You) Projects in coordination with the Nepalese Army servicing children and civilian victims of the Nepal April 25th, 2015 earthquake disaster.
    CWO Shree Krishna Pradhan Shree Mahabir BN (Ranger)
    LTC Subash Thapa Battalion Commander Shree Mahabir BN (Ranger)
6/20/15
  • St Elizabeth of Hungary Sandwich Line Ministry Outstanding Service Award, for monthly meal service at St. Elizabeth of Hungary- Auraria Campus, Denver. As of May 2016, Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan have served over 75,000 meals to the homeless at continuous monthly meal services in Denver since 1991.
2014 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
4/8/14
  • Domo in the News  AP Press Release!
    On April 8th, 2014 Associated Press posted a poignant article written by AP writer Donna Bryson highlighting Domo Restaurant and owner and head chef Gaku Homma. The article is well written and has been picked up widely nationwide.  Check it out!
5/10/14
  • On May 10th, Homma Kancho and AHAN Nippon Kan celebrated the passing of three major milestones: 70,000 meals served to the homeless in Denver, 10 AHAN Orphanages and Learning Centers built in Asia and 350 tons of rice donated to facilities caring for children around the world. The Milestone Celebration was held at Nippon Kan Headquarters and was attended by over 350 guests and dignitaries including guests from Japan.Homma Kancho received letters of recognition and appreciation for these outstanding achievements from over 20 countries including the following:The United Nations- Headquarters NY
    Governor John Hickenlooper-Governor of Colorado
    Mayor Michael Hancock-Mayor of Denver
    Colorado Senator Mark Udall- United States Senate
    Colorado Congressman Ed Permutter- United States House of Representatives
    Proclamation Denver City Council Click to learn more
11/12/10
  • National Philanthropy Day: Outstanding Volunteer Award
    Homma Kancho was honored on November 12th, 2010 as the winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Award for National Philanthropy Day. National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside nationwide each November to recognize generous people and organizations who donate their time, talent, and financial resources to worthy causes.
11/10/10
  • Mayors Design Award 2010
    On November 10th, 2010, Homma Kancho received the Mayor’s Design Award 2010 for outstanding creativity, winning the “Home is Where the Art Is” category for the design and construction of Domo Restaurant and Nippon Kan Culture Center. Both Nippon Kan and Domo were designed and built by hand by Homma Kancho, staff and an “army” of student volunteers
8/15/10
  • Every Day Hero Award
    Homma Kancho, who has led Nippon Kan’s efforts to feed the homeless in Denver for the last 20 years, was honored by local, leading Colorado television station, Channel 7, as one of Denver’s Every Day Heroes for 2010.
5/6/10
  • 20 Years of Service 60,000 meals served at the Denver Rescue Mission.
    The Denver City Council, Mayor of Denver, Governor of Colorado and the Consul General of Japan all joined Nippon Kan in celebrating this historical milestone. Homma Kancho received a letters of recognition from Mayor Hickenlooper and Governor Ritter and a proclamation from the Denver City Council presented in City Council Chambers.
5/5/10
  • Recognition from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department for leading participation in the Spring Volunteer Trails Day Bear Creek reclamation project, June 5th, 2010.
6/10/10
  • Recognition from the Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of Court. Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented a plaque of recognition honoring community service and humanitarian activities. The annual Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens on June 10th, 2010
5/5/10
  • Homma Kancho was awarded Channel 7’s “Every Day Hero Award” for his humanitarian service to the Denver community and to children around the world. A short documentary about Homma Kancho’s service to the homeless in Denver was aired on this popular Denver station for the week of Sept 5th-11th, 2010.
11/10/10
  • Homma Kancho was awarded the Mayors Design Award 2010 for the category “Home is where the art is”, on November 10th, 2010. This prestigious award was given to Homma Kancho for his creative design of Nippon Kan Culture Center and Domo Restaurant and his use of close to 90% recycled materials
11/12/10
  • Homma Kancho was this year’s recipient of National Philanthropy Day’s Outstanding Volunteer Award. Homma Kancho received this award at an awards luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Denver on November 12th, 2010. A Governor’s Proclamation was also awarded in recognition of this most prestigious national recognition.
2009 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
6/6/09
  • Recognition from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department for leading participation in the Spring Volunteer Trails Day South Platte River Trail reclamation project, June 6th, 2009
6/11/09
  • Recognition from the Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of Court.
    Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented a plaque of recognition honoring community service and humanitarian activities. The annual Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens on June 11th, 2009
2008 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
5/18/08
  • 18 Years of Service, 50,000 meals served at the Denver Rescue Mission.
    The Denver City Council, Mayor of Denver, Governor of Colorado and the Consul General of Japan all joined Nippon Kan in celebrating this milestone. Homma Kancho received a letters of recognition from Mayor Hickenlooper and Governor Ritter and a proclamation from the Denver City Council.
6/6/08
  • Recognition from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department for leading participation in the Spring Volunteer Trails Day Lakewood Gulch reclamation project, June 7th, 2008
6/12/08
  • Recognition from the Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of Court.
    Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented a plaque of recognition honoring community service and humanitarian activities. The annual Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens on June 12th, 2008
2007 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
8/20/07
  • Recognition from the Mongolian Parliament and Zorig Foundation President, Congresswoman Sanjaasvren Oyun for organizing the farewell event for the Mongolian student exchange group April 28th, 2007.
  • Recognition from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department for leading participation in the Spring Volunteer Trails Day Globeville Park reclamation project, June 4th, 2007
  • Recognition from the Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of Court.
    Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented a plaque of recognition honoring community service and humanitarian activities. The annual Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens on June 17th, 2007
2005 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
10/19/05 Recognition for Nippon Kan in September–October 2005

    • Recognition from the Turkey Kidney Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey for the awareness support seminar held September 24th -25th, 2005.
    • Recognition from the Mayor of Matsukawa Village, Nagano Prefecture Japan for cultural promotion with the Kyogaku Drummers tour to Brazil October 19th -27th, 2005.
    • Recognition from the Colorado Mongolian Association, Denver, Colorado for support of the Mongolian community of Denver. October 12th, 2005.
  • Recognition from the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, for the support seminar held 15th-18th, 2005
6/19/05 Denver Rescue Mission.
Consul General of Japan Mr. Yuzo Ota serves the 40,000th meal, Nippon Kan receives award from the Mayor of Denver.
2004 Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
1/4/04 Denver Rescue Mission.
A plaque was awarded by the John Geddings, Director of the Denver Rescue Mission for 35,000 meals served to the homeless.
2/26/04 Mongolian Morin Hur Association, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
A certificate of appreciation was presented to Homma Kancho for his support in introduction Mongolian traditional music to Denver.
4/9/04 Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Presented Homma Kancho with a certificate of appreciation for banquet donations
made to an city employee appreciation event.
4/29/04 Mongolian Aikido Association, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Homma Kancho and AHAN for assistance in dojo development by helping with renovations for the Mongolian Aikido Association in Ulaanbaatar.
5/19/04 School of Hope, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
AHAN and Homma Kancho were awarded a certificate of appreciation for sponsoring the making of ten Morin Hur instruments and facilitating a new music program for the School named Hope in Ulaanabaatar.
6/10/04 Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of Court.
Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented with a plaque of recognition honoring their community service and humanitarian activities. The annual Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens on June 10th.
7/7/04 Japan America Society.
Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were honored by the Japan America Society for their support of cross-cultural events.
7/18/04 President of Mongolia.
Homma Kancho was presented with a large framed portrait of Asa Shoryu, (a Mongolian national who has won the title of Japanese Sumo Wrestling Champion eight times in Japan) by the President of Mongolia at a special reception held for the President and members of his cabinet at Domo Restaurant, July 18th. The President awarded Homma Kancho this gift in recognition of AHAN and Homma Kancho’s personal contributions in supporting projects in Mongolia, and in support of the Denver Mongolian Community.
8/5/04 Mongolian Ambassador to the United States in Washington D.C.
A plaque was awarded by the Mongolian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Bold Raftan to Homma Kancho for the reception held for the President of Mongolia on July 18th, and for support of the Mongolian community in Denver and in Mongolia.
9/5/04 Japanese School of Denver, Cherry Hills Village Elementary School.
Certificate of Appreciation was given to Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan for promoting cultural awareness and music appreciation by sponsoring visits by the Kyougaku Taiko Drummers to Denver Elementary schools.
9/15/04 Matsukawa Village, Nagano Japan
Certificate of Appreciation awared to Homma Kancho, Nippon Kan and AHAN for promoting cultural awareness and music appreciation by sponsoring visits by the Kyougaku Taiko Drummers to Colorado.
12/4/04 Denver Parks and Recreation Department of Denver.
Outstanding volunteer commendation awarded to Nippon Kan for volunteer efforts in 2004.
12/5/04 Casa de la Amistad Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico
Certificate of Appreciation awarded by Cancer facility for the second annual fund raising seminar efforts to AHAN Nippon Kan and AHAN Nippon Kan Mexico in December 2004.
12/28/04 Mongolian Zorig Foudation, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan for thirty donated computers.
 05/8/04 Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho’s 40th Year of the Practice of Aikido Commemoration
2003 and Earlier Awards of Achievement and Appreciation
12/13/03 Denver Mongolian Community leaders recognized Nippon Kan for its support for the Denver Mongolian Community and Mongolian culture.
12/6/03 December 6th Denver Mayor Hickenlooper and Denver Parks and Recreation honor Nippon Kan as Outstanding Volunteer Organization for 2003.
12/2/02 Denver City Council and Mayor Wellington Webb commend Nippon kan with resolution #25 series of 2002 in recognition of 30,000 meals served to the homeless at the Denver Rescue Mission.
11/23/02 Denver Parks Recreation honor Nippon Kan as Outstanding Volunteer Organization for 2002.
6/1/01 Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and Denver Parks Department recognize Nippon Kan for 11 years of service.
4/30/01 DenverMayor Wellington Web and the Denver City Council honor Nippon Kan’s 10 years of service to the Homeless of Denver with Resolution #31 series of 2001.
11/00 Hands on Denver-Denver Parks Department recognize Nippon Kan as Outstanding Volunteer Organization for 2000.
3/1/00 Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and the Denver City Council recognize Nippon Kan for 10 years of service to the Denver Parks Department and for contributions in cultural enrichment with Resolution #38 series of 2000.
3/11/99 Colorado Governor Bill Owens recognizes Nippon Kan for 20,000 meals served to the Homeless at the Denver Rescue Mission.
3/9/99 Denver Mayor Wellington commends Nippon Kan for 8 years of service with the Denver Parks Department including the building of the Braille Trail.
12/11/97 Denver Parks and Recreation recognizes Nippon Kan for commendable effort and accomplishments at National Trails Day.
6/27/96 Denver Mayor Wellington Webb declares June 27th, 1996 as “Gaku Homma Day”.
6/27/96 Gaku Homma Kancho is awarded the Minoru Yasui Community Service for contributions to the community.
10/3/95 Nippon Kan is commended by the Denver Rescue Mission for 10,000 meals served to the Homeless in Denver.
9/11/95 Mayor Wellington Webb and the Denver Public Library recognize Nippon Kan for community service and cross-cultural exchange and honor Nippon Kan for it’s donation of a collection of rare Japanese books to the Denver Public Library.
7/25/95 Denver Parks Department commends Nippon Kan for volunteer services at the City Park tree planting.
5/21/94 Asian Education Advisory Council awards Nippon Kan for Outstanding Contributions to Children.