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Businesses continue to support the Red Cross
A number of businesses have stepped up to provide much-needed financial support to the American Red Cross’ relief efforts in response to Typhoon Soudelor’s widespread damage to the Northern Marianas on Aug. 2.
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- Pictured from left: ABC Stores store manager Raymond Borja, district manager Aaron Gandaoli, store manager Jocelyn McCarthy, American Red Cross NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh, and board member Larry Lee. (Contributed Photo)
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- Pictured from left: Red Cross board member Larry Lee and executive director John Hirsh, NAPA Auto & Truck parts manager Satya “Nani” V. Vallabhaneni, and staff members Virginia Santillan and Jessica Deleon Guerrero. (Contributed Photo)
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- From left: Red Cross board member Larry Lee, Bridge Capital’s Joe Guerrero, Red Cross executive director John Hirsh, Bridge Capital vice president/chief operating officer Jody Jordahl, Red Cross board chair Tayna Belyeu-Camacho, and Emergency Services director Paul Camacho. (Contributed Photo)
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- From left: American Red Cross board chair Tayna Belyeu-Camacho, FHB vice president Saipan area manager Juan Lizama, American Red Cross NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh, and Red Cross volunteer Gil Muna. (Contributed Photo)
First Hawaiian Bank donated $25,000. “First Hawaiian Bank has and continues to be a proud supporter of the American Red Cross,” said FHB vice president and Saipan area manager Juan Lizama.
Other businesses that have supported relief efforts on Saipan are ABC Stores, which donated $10,000; NAPA Auto & Truck Parts Saipan and NAPA Sacramento Distribution Center, which donated $10,000; and Bridge Capital, which donated $5,000.
Previous donors include Duty Free Shoppers, Joeten DaiDai Charitable Foundation, Bank of Guam, First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, MARPAC Distributors, Ada’s Trust for Saipan, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, TakeCare Foundation, Matson Navigation, Mobil Guam, and the Freeman Foundation.
To date, the American Red Cross has assisted over 9,000 people in the CNMI, providing close to a million dollars in direct financial assistance, and over $1.2 million worth of food, water, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items. In addition, the Red Cross has provided nearly 32,000 meals and snacks. Those in need receive emotional support, and health and counseling services.
Financial donations are especially needed because the Red Cross NMI Chapter’s annual Club 200 event, originally scheduled for Oct. 3, has been cancelled. This event is a major fundraiser for the NMI Chapter, but employees and volunteers are focusing solely on improving lives and helping those affected by the storm. The Red Cross encourages all ticket buyers to support relief efforts by making a financial contribution to the Chapter.
Local recipients of Red Cross assistance say they appreciate the services provided by the organization.
“It’s our mission to assist those in need on Saipan and we can’t accomplish our mission without local support,” said John Hirsh, executive director of the NMI Chapter. “Our community’s support and generosity during this time of great need on the island is both necessary and much appreciated.”
The community can help by donating specifically to the American Red Cross NMI Chapter by calling or visiting the Chapter office on Airport Road, or by emailing nmichapter@redcross.org. (ARC)
