Micronesian Games gets huge boost from sponsors

The 6th Micronesian Games Organizing Committee received a huge boost to provide the region with the best event possible next month as three local businesses forked out checks totaling $36,000 during three separate presentations in Susupe and Oleai.

With a month and a half before hundreds of athletes from Palau, Guam, the Marshalls, Nauru, Kiribati, and the four FSM island states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap challenge the CNMI’s finest on Saipan, the Joeten Charitable Foundation, United Micronesia Development Association, and Secure Title opened their coffers to the community.

The largest of the three donations came from the Joeten Charitable Foundation as vice president and general manager for Joeten Motor Company, Inc. Joe Guerrero handed over a king-sized check for $25,000.

JMC executive vice president Frances T. Demapan said that the donation was more of a responsibility that the locally owned family of businesses were compelled to fulfill as a part of giving back to the community.

“As a member of this community we all have a duty to make our Commonwealth a better place to live. We are a local company with extensive local roots and we are here to stay. Accordingly, by giving back to our community, we are fulfilling one of the most important mission statements of our corporate existence,” said Sablan.

With the check in hand, MGOC chairman Michael White was all smiles and took some time to express his thanks and confidence that the Joeten family of businesses would continue to provide support to the community.

“You have been a pillar in the community for so long and we knew that we could count on you,” said White.

Chairman of the Finance Committee Rex Palacios echoed White’s comments and added that the donation serves as a reminder of the history of charitable acts by the company founder, Jose C. Tenorio.

“You have been a longtime supporter of the community and a longtime supporter of sports, and this is a testimony of the legacy that the late Joeten has left to the community,” said Palacios

The five-figure financing continued as UMDA also stepped up to show support for the community when Michael Grandinetti presented the MGOC with a cashier’s check for $10,000 in the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Grandinetti said that he knows all too well the difficulties that the MGOC faces because he served as the chairman of the Finance Committee for the 1990 Micronesian Games when they were revived after a 21-year absence from the regional sporting scene.

“It’s just a natural fit for our company. We love Saipan,” said Grandinetti.

Palacios said that by the time that the numbers are crunched that UMDA’s donation may double.

“This is not the total amount of their contribution. They are donating the [Laolao Bay Golf Resort] for the 5-kilometer run and the fund-raising tournament for Family Fun Day and we haven’t yet quantified the prize amounts. When all is said and done the donation may be over $20,000,” he said.

With 30 prizes up for grabs for the runs and the tournaments, including three months of free golf at Laolao Bay Golf Resort to the winner of the tournament, Palacios said that the MGOC is intent on quantifying the complete contribution as accurately as possible to give them proper representation in the Games.

The two heavyweight contributors were not the only corporate citizens in the community to lend assistance to the Micro Games as Secure Title general manager Elizabeth Aldan presented organizers with a check for $1,000.

“We’re doing this to help the athletes for the 6th Micronesian Games. This is one way we can help them out,” she said.

Palacios thanked Aldan and said that he was not surprised that the folks from Secure Title stepped up to help local athletes compete next month.

“Kim Anderson-Young has been on Saipan for a long time and this is not the first time they have contributed to sporting events. They realize that this is a worthwhile event for our sports and for our kids,” he said.

While the task of hosting the Games is monumental, Aldan gave the MGOC inspiration by quoting boxing legend Muhammad Ali by saying that “Impossible is nothing.” To join the growing list of 2006 Micronesian Games supporters, contact Palacios via email at rexspn@aol.com or by calling 287-0739.