‘Thanks for stepping up to the plate’

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, fourth left, presents a plaque of appreciation to Imperial Pacific International LLC/Best Sunshine International, Ltd. majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie, fifth left, yesterday at the BSI gaming facility in Garapan. (Jon Perez)

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang is thanking Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) for stepping up to the plate, setting an example of how a private company should work together with the public sector, especially in times of great need.

Apatang said the generosity given by the parent company of Best Sunshine International, Ltd. had a tremendous impact on the lives of more than 30 individuals who were hired on short-term employment. He said the Hong Kong-based company gave these people the chance to earn wages that put food on their tables, pay bills, and buy school supplies for their children.

“The individuals we were able to hire and pay their wages from the cash donations your company committed to making and deposited to the CNMI general fund sped up the recovery effort,” said Apatang in yesterday’s presentation of a plaque of appreciation to officials of Imperial Pacific, which owns and operates Best Sunshine Live.

Imperial Pacific/Best Sunshine majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie, Best Sunshine chief executive officer Mark Brown, BSI senior vice president of operations Donald Browne, and BSI director of corporate social responsibility Geri Dela Cruz were present in the presentation.

Apatang said while many volunteers showed up only with their bare hands, BSI’s contributions helped made the recovery effort meaningful immediately after Typhoon Soudelor leveled Saipan. “[BSI] came in with much more, [with] cash and in-kind contributions, and manpower.”

“We thank [BSI] for participating in the cleanup effort, taking lead on many recovery projects that got members of our community to be involved, and for helping our government go through the experience with little anxiety,” added Apatang.

Lijie said she had fallen in love with the beauty of Saipan and that’s why she has committed to help the island in every way. She added that BSI wants to work closely with the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

“We’re willing to assist the community anytime whenever the need arises. We do it for the people of Saipan regardless of the photos and being on the news. This is one piece of the many community projects and services we do,” said Lijie.

“We just want to do our share to help the community. We want to work with the government and the local people. We are here to help promote Saipan to the world,” Lijie added.

“This is basically our whole concept of community service,” added Brown.