MINA to announce Green awardees in May

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance chair Frankie Eliptico, fifth left, and executive director Brooke Nevitt, third left, join staff of the non-profit group in yesterday’s press launch of their annual Green Gala at the Bridge Capital LLC office in Garapan. (Jon Perez)

The Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance will announce the Green Award winners when they hold the annual Green Gala on May 27 at the Fiesta Resort & Spa-Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall. The event is set from 6pm to 10pm on Friday.

The Environmental Champion—given to an individual who showed great care and preservation of natural resources, Environmental Heroes—awarded to either a public or private school whose students and work reflect in protecting the environment, and Green Business of the Year—for the company that has shown commitment to conservation and incorporated it to their entire organization—are the awards up for grabs.

The Green Gala is also MINA’s fundraising activity with the amount raised will be used to continue the group’s work of helping protect the CNMI’s fragile environment.

“This is already our 10th year of hosting the Green Gala. We can’t believe that it has already been a decade. We are again asking the support of the community to help MINA since we are a non-profit organization our operating funds come from donations,” said MINA chair Frankie Eliptico.

Brooke Nevitt is MINA’s executive director, while Eleanor Cabrera, Fran Castro, and Ron Smith are board members.

MINA, which hopes to continue its mission of preserving and protecting the CNMI’s ecosystem and biodiversity, is also supported by project grants from local businesses.

Tasi Watch Community Rangers, which work in the community in promoting responsible stewardship of the CNMI’s natural resources, is one of MINA’s projects.

Wayne Dawe, Daniel Ogumoro, Julius Reyes, and Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong are some of MINA’s Tasi Watch Community Rangers.

Tickets for the Green Gala are $75 per person and can be bought at their office or any of its staff or board members. Aside from a night of entertainment, dinner, and drinks, the Green Gala will also show MINA’s projects and have a silent auction.

“We’re really grateful to our sponsors for their generosity and support in helping to make the Green Gala event a success. We are encouraging other companies to also be part of this special event by becoming a sponsor. Every bit helps MINA to continue our work,” added Nevitt.

Emerald (above $5,000), Title ($3,000 to $4,999), Major ($1,000 to $2,999), and Event (up to $999) are the categories of the sponsors.

Alter City Group, Tan Holdings, IT&E, Power99, The Nature Conservancy, Marianas Variety, Bridge Capital, Pacific Islands Club, The Shack, Blossom’s Floral, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Gold’s Gym, Lollipops, Pacific Insurance, Monika’s, SDA Dental Clinic, and Saipan Shipping so far are the sponsors of the event.