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‘Sports events good fundraising tool’
Saipan Unity Lions Club president Willy Barbo, fifth left, hands over the ceremonial check to Karidat Social Services coordinator Emelda Camacho in yesterday’s presentation. SULC members and past officers are the others in the photo. (Jon Perez)
Saipan Unity Lions Club president Willy Barbo said sports tournaments like last week’s bicycle race are good fundraising events that would help fund their various community projects.
Barbo and other SULC members and past officers turned over a $1,000 check to Karidat yesterday. The money was collected in the 2nd Annual SULC bike race on July 30 at Banzai Cliff in Marpi.
“It is beneficial to all. You get the chance to exercise and at the same time help the community. We donated all proceeds of the bike race to Karidat,” said Barbo.
“We have been donating to Karidat every year. This is our fourth straight year of helping them with their programs.”
They also organize an annual golf tournament and are also planning to add bowling on their roster of fundraising sports events.
“We’re now discussing which organization would be the beneficiary of the planned bowling tournament,” said Barbo.
Their annual health fair will be held in November after their 25th founding anniversary this October. SULC was duly recognized by the international organization in December 1992.
Karidat Soical Services coordinator Emelda Camacho thanked SULC in behalf of the Catholic charity organization. “We are always thankful to generous supporters. They are one of the groups that has consistently help us with our programs.”
“The money would help us with our programs in assisting the needy. With classes about to open, we could use the money to help those who would need clothes, shoes, and school supplies,” said Camacho.
SULC thought of the bicycle race because of the island’s vibrant cycling group, whose members usually volunteer in international triathlon races on Saipan like the Ironman, XTERRA, and Tagaman.
A total of 42 cyclists joined SULC’s second bicycle race where familiar names made it to the podium in various age divisions. The 60-kilometer course had the participants taking three loops from Banzai Cliff to Mobil Tanapag.
