Previous Story
DFS launches urgent fundraising appeal
DFS Saipan has set up a charity fund to help members of its team affected by the catastrophic Super Typhoon Soudelor, which smashed into the Northern Mariana Islands on Aug. 2.
DFS Saipan reports that many of its staff lost their homes or had them severely damaged. Thankfully there has been no loss of life, and all the company’s staff are safe.
Soudelor, the strongest typhoon so far in the 2015 season, packed winds of up to 150 km/h as it hit Saipan—destroying houses, knocking out power, flipping cars and downing trees.
The island is without power and suffering a shortage of fuel; the airport was closed for several days; and the tourism industry—Saipan’s lifeblood—has been put on hold due to the massive infrastructure damage.
The storm, which had been expected to be weaker and pass to the north of Saipan, is reportedly the worst disaster to hit Saipan in almost 30 years.
To assist with the recovery, DFS Saipan has established a donation campaign fund at http://www.gofundme.com/saipandfs. Donations will go to DFS TEAM 670 CLUB, a non-profit organization registered in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The donated funds will be managed by DFS Saipan senior management and will be used to assist Saipan colleagues in rebuilding their lives. DFS is matching donations made to the fund. Tax donation receipts can be provided upon request.
The Moodie Report has made a donation to the fund and all further travel retail industry donations are particularly welcome at this time of immense hardship.
DFS has also donated $50,000 to the local chapter of the Red Cross and made a direct financial donation to all Saipan employees. It is also bringing in washers and dryers for employees’ use.
