Best Sunshine commits $500,000 to Saipan relief efforts

Shock, hopelessness and despair were common emotions felt as dawn approached and people first got a glimpse of the damage they faced. Typhoon Soudelar left a trail of devastation on the island of Saipan, damaging hundreds of homes and leaving many families homeless. As the community struggled in the aftermath, the biggest investor in the CNMI, Best Sunshine International, Ltd., took immediate action to help members of their community without hesitation.

The CNMI government took the lead in organizing relief efforts locally and then nationally. Best Sunshine wanted to ensure their assistance to the community went to those most in need, so they reached out and met with key government officials to determine how they can help. The following are Best Sunshine’s post Typhoon Soudelar Day (“TSD”) relief efforts:

• TSD+1: Best Sunshine officials requested and met with the Inos administration to offer assistance.

• TSD+2: Best Sunshine delivered four multi-passenger vans to the shelters located at the Man’Amko Center and the Kagman Community Center; efforts also began to search for manpower to provide temporary assistance for post-typhoon recovery.

• TSD+3: Delivered 250 gallons of drinking water to the shelters; implemented a company-wide “Water for Saipan” conservation program and donated 600 bottles of drinking water saved from the program to the shelters.

• TSD+4: Best Sunshine met with Saipan Mayor David Apatang to offer assistance and committed to provide funding for 30 temporary employees to assist with post-typhoon recovery; Best Sunshine also donated 800 bottles of drinking water saved from the program.

• TSD+5: Best Sunshine gathered and briefed the 30 temporary employees for the Saipan Mayor’s Office; Saipan Mayor’s Office requested and Best Sunshine agreed to purchase 30 safety vests and chainsaws to be used by the temporary employees. Best Sunshine’s total contribution to the Saipan Mayor’s Office for this project was more than $165,000.

Since the day after the typhoon, Best Sunshine has been meeting with officials from various government agencies and NGOs to discuss what else, if anything, can be done for the community. Best Sunshine greatly appreciates the leadership and dedication of government officials and NGOs as well as the hundreds of devoted volunteers that have helped our community since the aftermath of the storm.

Best Sunshine’s donations will be used to provide much needed assistance to all members of our community. As of Thursday, Aug. 13, on top of the $200,000 already committed to the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the shelters, Best Sunshine also committed an additional in-kind donation valued at $300,000 that will be distributed throughout Saipan in consultation with government officials and NGOs. This will bring Best Sunshine’s post-typhoon relief contributions to a total of $500,000. (Best Sunshine)