Previous Story
VFW Foundation donates $1K to Matua Riders
Matua Riders pose for a photo with Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3457 members after the donation of a $1,000 check was given at the VFW building in Garapan on Nov. 29. (Michael T. Santos)
A non-government group, the Matua Riders, was recently the beneficiary of a $1,000 donation, thanks to the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3457,
The donation, made Tuesday, will be used to support the Matua Riders’ annual Christmas Spirit Run across the island.
A Matua Rider, Pete Deleon Guerrero, said, “This is a big donation for us. We have fundraisings and donations to help support events like our Christmas Spirit Run… This is what we’ve been doing every year since the Matua Riders was first established in 2010.”
Under the Christmas Spirit Run, Matua Riders deliver care packages—to the man’amko, to pediatric care patients in the hospital, and to less-fortunate housing areas—while also spending time with the people there. Leftover packages and materials are delivered to Karidat.
Michael A. O’Kelly, commander for VFW Post 3457 on Saipan, said, “After looking at several charities in the CNMI, our post chose the Matua Riders as an organization which closely reflects the ideals of the VFW in comradeship and community service. Like the VFW on Saipan, the Matua Riders has no paid officers, and every penny they earn through fundraising goes to help others.”
“The Matua Riders believe strongly in veterans’ causes as well as the patriotic ideals that have kept America free. Some of their members are veterans themselves, and even a few are members of our post,” O’Kelly added.
Care packages would be delivered to the Office on Aging on Dec. 9, with the visit to pediatric patients the following day.
“The more donations and sponsors we get, the better the care packages will be,” Guerrero said. “For the Matua [Riders], we don’t just ride around. We spend time with the community with the Christmas Spirit Run or any other event we do to help out. After all, Saipan’s our island.”
A total of 150 care packages were delivered last year; the riding group now looks to distribute 200 this season.
For those wishing to make a donation, call 285-7013 for Pete Deleon Guerrero.
