Marines joins KONQER for a cause

United States Marine Corps Maj. Timothy Patrick, right, and Gunnery Sgt. Donnie McClester, left, join Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill Arenovski and coordinator Christine Tadeo for a group photo after discussing the Toys For Tots program. (Jon Perez)

United States Marine Corps Maj. Timothy Patrick and four other Marines will be using tomorrow’s KONQER Saipan King of the Hill to highlight their latest community project, Toys For Tots.

The obstacle course race starts at 9am at Fiesta Resort & Spa and heads toward the Gov. Eloy S. Inos Peace Park where various challenges await individuals competing in the Enduro, Completion, Business, and Sprint categories.

Patrick and four other Marines will compete individually in the morning before forming a team for the afternoon race. Organizers allow participants who compete individually to form or join a team and do the entire course again.

Patrick and company are encouraging members of the community to do their share and donate new and unwrapped toys for kids of all ages. They are going to set up a donation box in the venue while Gunnery Sgt. Donnie McClester will be given the chance to explain the project.

Gunnery Sgt. Justin Park, Lance Cpl. Samuel Brusseau, and Community Liaison Officer Uriah Perez joined Patrick and McClester in the cause when they met with Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill Arenovski yesterday at the SCC office at the Marianas Business Plaza. Patrick said they are teaming up with the SCC and Saipan Young Professionals for the project. The USMC has also thrown its 100 percent support for their participation in KONQER and for the Toys For Tots project.

Patrick was among the 40 Marines that participated in the race in Peleliu and Koror in Palau on June 10 and 11 this year. One of the USMC teams finished second in the Relay Sprint division with a time of 3:14:12, while Patrick won the Solo Sprint category at 3:28:47.

He said KONQER Sports’ race in Palau was special to the USMC because of its historical significance in World War II. Peleliu was the site of Operation Stalemate II where the 1st Marine Division and the U.S. Army’s 81st Infantry Division fought Japanese soldiers to capture an airstrip that strengthened the Allies’ offensive.

“We were invited to join the race and we decided to compete since Peleliu shares a deep history with the Marines. It is the site of one of the important battles of World War II where we needed to change our tactics against Japanese forces,” said Patrick.

“It has an enormous impact for us and the entire unit is excited to hit the obstacle course in Peleliu. A historian joined us and he also competed while at the same time filled us with details of the history of each site as we go along the way,” Patrick said.

He added they are expecting the obstacle course on Saipan is almost the same as the one in Palau.
“Volunteers and others who would monitor the participants are some of the things needed to have an effective race. We’re expecting the same, but we must also be prepared for some surprises. We’re hoping that it would be challenging for us. The tougher, the better,” he added with a smile.

Toys For Tots
McClester said the Toys For Tots program is now on its eighth year in Guam and 70th year in the world. The program encourages communities—business, individuals, and organizations—to do their share in gathering toys for less fortunate kids in time for the holiday season.

“We’re just helping coordinate this on Saipan. We’re going to actively stop the program on Dec. 14 but we’re still going to accept donations for next year. We’re accepting toys for different age groups,” added McClester.

Various non-profit organizations—like Karidat and the Salvation Army—will be the recipients of the toys and they will be tasked to give the gifts to kids.

Patrick said Saipan is the farthest reached by the program.

“Some might wonder why give a toy? Every child deserves a toy during Christmas and the holiday season. You can’t replace the look and the feeling of the children as they unwrap their gift and that makes it more special,” Patrick said.

Arenovski said that they would also coordinate with other local organizations, like the Rotary Club of Saipan and the Soroptimist International Club NMI Chapter about the project. “Everyone can donate freely. So we could reach many kids.”