Helping Out A Friend to the Community

As most of you know, I have been involved with the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years (give or take a year or two). I am proud of how the chamber hosts ribbon cuttings to let the community know of new area businesses, of the networking mixers it holds to better engage business owners and the way the executive board comes together to host a variety of community events, like the annual Hometown Country Fair.

To me the success of the chamber not only rests on the executive board but also its leadership. And over the years there have been all types of leaders, from those who had more of a hands-off approach to their duties to those who are much more engaged with their community. Former CV Chamber president Calvin “Kaipo” Chock was one of the presidents who was totally engaged with the community.

He owned JR Hardware in the 2900 block of Foothill Boulevard and, despite having his own business and being busy with all that entailed, he was at the forefront of everything the chamber did. Bingo game? Kaipo was right there, handing out winnings, greeting folks who came in and calling out games. At the Hometown Country Fair, he and his wife Bobbi got plants on loan from OSH to decorate the Fair’s stage.

He came to several (pre-pandemic) Prom Plus meetings, ready to help out where and how he could. One year, when Mary O’Keefe and I were the chairs of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, Kaipo brought his motorhome so folks could rest. It was also a “safe place” for organizers to meet. He and Bobbi also hosted chamber parties at their home and I had them at my house a couple of times when I needed some guidance.

A student at St. Francis High School, Kaipo was a local guy but a couple of years ago, unexpectedly, Kaipo and his family moved to Arizona. Kaipo was such an intrinsic part of our community; I knew we’d feel the loss.

That was in 2020 and though we texted now and again we weren’t in constant contact. Fast forward to today.

I heard rumors that Kaipo’s health had taken a downward turn. According to his son Tyler, Kaipo was diagnosed and living with FTD (frontotemporal dementia). This is a rare state of dementia that causes severe problems with behavior, communication, emotions, and motor function, along with memory loss and loss of bodily control.

In December, Bobbi quit her job to help with Kaipo’s care; unfortunately he’s now past the point of living at home and has been admitted to a hospital. The family has set up a GoFundMe page so people can help with the expenses that are piling up. Donations are urgently needed. I urge everyone who can to donate to the GoFundMe at https://tinyurl.com/bddr59u4.

Kaipo Chock did so much for the Crescenta Valley; now is the time the Crescenta Valley can do something for him.