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Beautify My Marianas just keeps growing
The Marianas Visitors Authority’s Beautify My Marianas program continues to draw more participants, sparking a grassroots interest in participating in the tourism industry. So far this fiscal year, 53 groups have participated in the program, which offers $100 for each 1-mile cleanup in assigned areas. Nearly 18,400 lbs. of trash and debris have been collected.
“We talk about how ‘tourism is everybody’s business,’ and Beautify My Marianas is allowing more individuals and groups to become a part of that business,” said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Dueñas. “The program is just a small part of the successful application of destination enhancement funds now underway, and we’re encouraged to see the strong community support.”
The Marianas High School senior class graduation committee collected trash on March 14, 2015, in Susupe, Saipan as part of the Marianas Visitors Authority’s Beautify My Marianas program. The committee is raising funds for decorations, water, and other needs at this year’s graduation. (Contributed Photo)
“Not only [are we] fundraising for our club, but we enjoyed beautifying our island,” said the group in their post-cleanup report.
The Northern Marianas College Palauan Club also took part, its 10 volunteers collecting 500 lbs of trash on March 7, 2015.
“We had about five trash bags full of trash [at Tank Beach], ranging from beer cans to household trash,” said the group in their report. “At the Marine Beach…some of us went down the beach, while some of us cleaned around the pavilions and to the north camping site. [A] majority of the trash were around the pavilions and in the bushes.”
The Marianas High School senior class graduation committee cleaned along the beach in Susupe on March 14 to raise money for their graduation this year.
“We have seen headlines of other organizations taking part in this program. This program not only beautifies our island, but as students we are able to interact with each other while doing something that benefits our island and our school,” said the committee in their report. “The senior class has a set of goal for $2,000. This Beautify My Marianas program will help us achieve our set goal. …We would like to thank Marianas Visitors Authority for allowing us to be a part of this program.”
For more information on Beautify My Marianas or an application, visit the MVA homepage at www.mymarianas.com. Groups must apply to participate and document their cleanup with a written report, list of participants, and photos. (MVA)
