Last day today to pledge for Raise the Roof

Organizers of Raise the Roof are still seeking for more pledgers on their last day of fundraising today to help their three beneficiaries who are leading recovery efforts on Saipan following Typhoon Soudelor.

According to planning committee lead Roxanne Diaz, they were able to raise more than $40,000 of pledges since they launched two weeks ago.

“We’re still calling out for pledgers. The last pledger can come in at 11:59pm and we’re also selling $1-tickets for the raffle,” Diaz said.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll have more who’ll confirm. There are some companies who have confirmed but have yet to inform us of the amount that they are pledging,” she added.

Aside from pledges, Raise the Roof started selling dollar-worth raffle tickets to raise funds after Delta Air Lines donated two plane tickets to Japan.

They also received gift certificates from Judy’s, which they will also raffle along with the airline ticket.

Diaz said they were able to sell more than 1,000 tickets.

“We’re going to raffle it at KKMP on Friday. We will be announcing that and also going out and recognizing the final list of pledges,” Diaz said.

They also sold shirts, proceeds of which will also be given to the beneficiaries.

Raise the Roof’s goal was to raise $100,000 for the benefit of the Lady Diann Torres Foundation, United4Saipan, and the American Red Cross.

For U4S, they have shifted their work as the needs of the community also shifted but they continue to provide for residents who need help.

“Last Saturday, we ended bulk distribution into villages, and our next phase of volunteer relief will focus primarily on safe shelter for families. We will continue distributing tents and cots as available in partnership with CERT, and will now direct our efforts on home cleanups and securing temporary roofs for families who have the greatest need for assistance to make their dwelling and sleeping areas safe before rebuilding can begin,” Jenny Hegland of U4S said.

Diaz acknowledged and thanked their donors, pledgers and volunteers who helped their fundraising, especially Skywalker Communications Group who paid for the expenses of their project.

“Nevertheless, in terms of the amount that we raised, I’m glad that there is still continued support for our disaster relief,” Diaz said.

To make a pledge, email RaiseTheRoofSaipan@gmail.com or contact 484-6976.