Compassion Awards

Club Rotarian, Janet Day presented the Compassion Awards to four high school students.  The award is given to students who exemplify compassion as reflected in the Tower of Compassion's, five levels of compassion.  The tower is located in Southmoor Park in Longmont.   The award winners were: Matthew Bendzel from Longmont High School, Esmeralda Vega-New Meridian High School, Abby Frea-Silver Creek High School and Tabitha Inness-Skyline High School.
 

The story of the Tower of Compassion is a powerful one, honoring Jimmie Kanemoto and his family.  Jimmie was an active community citizen, business man and dedicated Rotarian.  His generous and humble nature, paved a legacy that stands to this day.  The family immigrated from Japan, settling in the Longmont area, renting a farm and land to grow sugar beets and other vegetables.   Jimmie and his brother George had to take over the family business upon the unexpected death of their father in 1935.  The Kanemoto's purchased land in south Longmont where they farmed and sold produce for 30 years.

 

In 1966, the family donated seven acres in Southmoor Park to the City of Longmont.  The city decided to make the land a park and the family asked that it be named Kanemoto Park after their father.  In 1972, the Kanemoto brothers commissioned the Tower of Compassion located in Kanemoto Park.  The tower was donated to the city with gratitude from the Kanemoto family for the kindness the community showed them during WW-II, when many Japanese immigrants were forced into internment camps.  The Tower has five levels of compassion:  Love, Empathy, Understanding, Gratitude and Selfless Giving.   

Watch this video to hear more of the story.    (If the video doesn't open, click this link https://youtu.be/jETF9K325YA. )