Lynda and Michael Abshoff
The dynamic duo! No, not Batman and Robin, the crime-fighting team…but Lynda and Michael Abshoff, the Canadian husband and wife team who deliver one-two punches for the Tyler Foundation everytime! Okay, well, punches is a figurative term…but they have been invaluable to us and can be counted on for things big and small. Their ability to overcome obstacles to get the job done, all with a twinkle in their eyes and a smile on their faces, is why Lynda and Michael are our July Stellar Volunteers!
Volunteers in all organizations feel the “high” of knowing that your work is for a great cause and that your efforts are not in vain. In talking about their experience and their work with the Tyler Foundation, Lynda captured the essence of volunteerism enthusiastically. “The most rewarding time for both of us is at the end of the fundraising galas when the exhausted volunteers gather after the guests have left and we put up our feet and talk about how great the evening was. We know we have worked hard - sometimes harder than we do in our daily jobs - and yet we are excited and feel good about helping the Tyler Foundation achieve the fundraising goals. And we're all ready to sign up for next years’ event!”
As many know, the route to Japan is the road taken by many people at many different points in their lives for many different reasons. This is true of Michael and Lynda. Michael said, “We came to Japan from Canada for Lynda's job - to complete a three year ex-pat assignment with Manulife Financial as an Assistant Vice President in the Information Technology area.” That was five years ago – another common story of the life of an ex-pat – staying longer than you expected! “Michael was semi-retired from his financial consulting company in Canada, so it felt like the right time for an adventure. ”Our children are still in Canada – 27-year old son who's married and our 23-year old daughter who's getting married next summer,” added Lynda.
The “dynamic duo” came to the Tyler Foundation through a mutual love of song between Lynda and Kim & Mark at the British Embassy Choir Tokyo (BEC) where they all sing for various Tokyo-based charities. In 2007, Kim was looking for help in organizing the "Tokyo Idol" event to support the Tyler Foundation. Lynda used her “idle” time to help with “Idol” and has been helping to organize major events ever since. Michael was recruited to help in the back office for the 2008 Mystery a la carte event and now does the financials for the Tyler Foundation. Lynda said, “Michael has resumed his financial consulting work as he was too young to retire!” Kim Forsythe noted, "Even though Lynda originally got involved in the Tyler Foundation through our mutual hobby of singing, Lynda and Michael's commitment to the Foundation goes way beyond friendship. There is passion and pleasure in what they do!”
There are many ways to help the Tyler Foundation and Lynda and Michael “…encourage everyone to get involved in supporting the Foundation - whether it's buying a ticket for the annual galas, donating time to support an event, or donating money to buy articles for the ShineOn! House. It's a great feeling knowing that every minute and every donation makes a difference to the Foundation.” And, we are thankful that the Abshoffs’ do all of that and more and make a huge difference in the Foundation! Lynda says, “Whether it's in a planning session, cheering on Marathon runners, crunching numbers, recruiting volunteers, or running an event, we know that our professional skills and time are being used to support an organization focused on providing much needed services for families dealing with childhood cancer. We both work closely with Kim and Mark to help implement their vision for the Foundation.” Conversely, according to Kim, “We are so lucky to have two friends with such amazing organizational (Lynda) and financial (Michael) skills who want to volunteer with us."
So, with work, volunteering, family, and all the other demands on them, what else do the Abshoffs’ like to do? Well, you might be out and about in the Japan countryside at a rail station and see them passing through (true story!) because, “In our spare time, we enjoy showing off Japan to our visitors from Canada and we also like traveling to other countries in Asia.” Don’t stray too far! The Tyler Foundation values your work and as our Stellar Volunteers, Lynda and Michael Abshoff are “Idols” to us!