MINA’s Green Gala draws glitterati for night of fun and advocacy

  Advocates for the environment were dressed to the nines Friday night for the first ever Green Gala, a fundraising event hosted by the non-profit group Mariana Islands Nature Alliance at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort & Spa in Garapan.

MINA estimates that close to 200 people attended the glittering event. This early, MINA is already planning to make Green Gala its signature fundraiser to sustain its various environmental projects.

Friday’s event began with an array of drinks and a scrumptious buffet accompanied by live entertainment by the Johnson Family Band and DJ Davey G. Dan Ho of the Micronesian Image Institute as host.

MINA board members and staff welcomed guests and announced the opening of the silent auction that consisted of artwork, electronics, signature handbags and other items donated by individual and corporate sponsors.

The group also unveiled its new logo, which incorporates natural resources on land, air, and sea. They also launched the Plastic Bag Challenge, wherein community members are encouraged to do away with plastic bags because of its environmental impact and instead use recyclable bags for grocery shopping and other activities.

For the first time, MINA also presented the Green Company of the Year award, which aims to recognize businesses that help protect the environment through its policies and practices within their establishments.

The award was presented to Tan Holdings, which has partnered with MINA on various environmental initiatives such as tree planting and the adopt-a-bin project. Accepting the award was president Jerry Tan.

The evening also featured the Trash in Fashion Show showcasing outfits made of materials that are normally thrown away as trash: soda can tabs, rice sacks, paper, and even soba wrappers.

MINA board chair Herminia Fusco said that even with the economic situation in the islands, Green Gala was still warmly received by the public.

“It’s really commendable,” Fusco told Saipan Tribune. “The community really tried their best to help out a non-profit environmental organization. Everybody has been so generous despite the tough economy. We really appreciate it because we won’t be here without the help and support of everybody.”

Fusco is also pleased that the younger generation is starting to get involved in programs and projects that have to do with the environment. “Everybody seems to want to participate and it’s really very exciting.”

According to Fusco, the community support for the Green Gala underscores the importance of caring for the environment, which their group stands for.

“We should really care about our islands and our environment because it impacts everything in our lives-our economy, our way of life. It is very important. We always say we live in paradise but we have to make sure that that is the case. We should all do our part in protecting our environment and really make sure that this is paradise,” she said.