Spread the Aloha to Kids Organization (SAKO) is an NGO ASSISTING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
SAKO Team
Dúc "Duke" Nguyen
Founder/President
After having gone on his first mission in 2007 and subsequent trips with his fellow charity-brothers/sisters seeing the plight of the underprivileged and social orphans from impoverished single mothers, he was moved to create Spread the Aloha to Kids non-profit 501(c)(3) charity organization in 2009. As a US Navy veteran, having served his duty and country, Duke wanted to continue serving hence the genesis of the charity. He has a humble, strong passion and commitment towards communal service, especially for the disadvantaged and underprivileged in developing nations.
For we all returneth empty-handed…ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
As Saint Teresa once said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great Love [Aloha]".
Lyly Nguyen
Treasurer
LyLy Nguyen serves as SAKO's treasurer.
Ms Nguyen is an experienced lawyer and devotes her practice toward: estate planning, business formation, succession, asset protection, business litigation, tax representation, and bankruptcy. Ms. Nguyen is licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of California (1996).
Ms. Nguyen earned her Master of Laws in Taxation from Golden Gate University (2000), Juris Doctor Degree from Western State University (1994), and Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting from Stetson University (1989).
Ms. Nguyen serves on the Board of the Asian American Business Women Association, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to empower and inspire women entrepreneurs.
Ms. Nguyen is fluent in the Vietnamese language. She writes legal articles in Vietnamese which are published weekly in Nguoi Viet Daily News, the first and the largest daily newspaper published in Vietnamese in the United States.
Robin Bundy
Advisor
Mr. Bundy provides outstanding leadership and brings a progressive healthcare mentality to grow the breadth and depth of SAKO medical and humanitarian missions across the globe. Robin’s passion of giving comes from his close association to the charity work he has been doing the past 20 years in his hometown of Las Vegas.
David Pham
Advisor
Tri Le
Director of Vietnam
Mission Programs
Tri Huu Le, holds his masters degree in social work from Cal State Long Beach. Professionally, Mr. Le is a college professor teaching Human Services in the School of Professional Studies at the California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Academic Counselor at El Camino College. For past 30 years Tri has taught and served in numerous human and social services programs. Tri brings a vast amount of knowledge with his skills from developing field work manuals and serving as a faculty advisor to the Human Services Program Student Association.
Currently, Tri heads up humanitarian missions in Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tri has a tremendous ability to give his heart and passion to help those in need. Tri has been instrumental during the mission trips, renovating the schools, providing educational resources; delivering rice, oil, jackets and instruments for the blind community so they can have a revenue source. Tri is our workhorse, our leader among the Vietnamese community with Dr. Hang Nguyen and a guide for the underprivileged children mentally ill, and physically gifted students across the world.
Edward Chang
Maribel Valdez
Advisors
Edward was raised overseas and have been living in Los Angeles for over 30 years. Born in Paris, France and growing up between South America and Europe until coming to Los Angeles has given him the exposure necessary to understand that the world humanity really runs on love and compassion. Working for over 30 years in Banking, including holding the title of Vice President of a national bank, has given him the business awareness necessary to run a business in today’s challenging environment. Edward’s business background coupled with the sincere desire to be of service to others in the community has allowed him to be part of Spread the Aloha to Kids and to contribute towards the goal of spreading the love while having a fun time. The feeling of fulfillment that he receives in return for helping others is what makes him excited to be a part of the SAKO family.
Born and raised in Los Angeles allows Maribel to have the connection necessary to be an effective agent of change in the community. This cultural and historical awareness is critical in order to be an effective advocate of the parents and children in the neighborhoods that we live and work in. As a parent, she understands that the family structure is always changing, especially in a diverse community such as Los Angeles. She is passionate in her belief that together we can make a difference, that by combining and collaborating towards a common goal, the group can achieve the unexpected. She works at this because she believes she has to be the change that she wants to see in the world and we can do this by having fun and spreading the love. She is excited to be part of the SAKO family and for the opportunity to have a more impactful change in what we do for our community.