McDonald’s donates $5K for Club 200 fundraiser

McDonald’s Saipan executive secretary Mable Ayuyu, third from left, presented Monday a donation check to American Red Cross NMI chapter executive director John Hirsh, center.  (Erwin Encinares)

McDonald’s Saipan donated Monday to the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter for its Club 200 fundraiser party, which will take place on Oct. 13, a Saturday, at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.

“[McDonald’s Saipan] has been supporting everything that we have been doing. I think they believe in our mission. They’ve seen firsthand the kind of things we are doing,” said ARC executive director John Hirsh during the donation presentation.

Club 200 is one of two annual Red Cross fundraisers that collects funding for their operations as well as supports the charitable organization. The other is the annual Red Cross Walkathon.

According to McDonald’s Saipan executive secretary Mable Ayuyu, the donation is the company’s way of supporting the organization’s cause.

“To us, they are really the champions of the community. They go out there…and sacrifice a lot of family time to fly to Rota or fly to Tinian to help those in need around the clock,” said Ayuyu. “We recognize that and we would continue to support the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter so long as they are in existence.”

Hirsh noted that McDonald’s Saipan has been a staunch supported of the organization for almost 20 years.

“Every year we [reach out] to them and every year they give us support,” said Hirsh. “We are very grateful to their leadership and all their employees who have helped us over the years.”

While this may only be the 26th Club 200 fundraiser of the local Red Cross, this year is also the 40th anniversary of the NMI Chapter, Hirsh said. In line with that, there would be plenty of “surprises” at the Club 200 party.

“Come out, buy a ticket, and we are encouraging everyone in the community to come and support this event,” he said.

The American Red Cross-NMI Chapter depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses here in the CNMI to fulfill its disaster relief mission. Over the past two weeks Red Cross volunteers have provided emergency supplies and immediate financial assistance to those most heavily impacted by Typhoon Mangkhut.

“Working with our partners, we moved quickly to help those most impacted, said Jack Amirez, a local Chapter caseworker. “We help everyone with urgent needs regardless of their background or citizenship.”

J.D. Tenorio, the ARC disaster program manager, said the Red Cross provided over $100,000 worth of supplies and financial assistance in just a matter of days after Mangkhut

For more information about donating to the Red Cross or volunteering, contact the Chapter office at 234-3459.