Ysrael family donates $100K to Ayuda typhoon relief

Photo shows, from left, Jude and Donna Ysrael Baker, Michael Ysrael, former senator and Ayuda board member Frank Blas Jr., Ayuda board member Walden Weilbacher, Ayuda board member Sen. James V. Espaldon, and Ayuda special projects head Kai Murrell. (Ayuda Foundation)

The Ayuda Foundation received its biggest monetary donation yet for the CNMI Typhoon Relief Fund Thursday last week—a whopping $100,000 check from the Ysrael family and group of companies.

The $100,000 check was personally delivered to the Ayuda Foundation CNMI typhoon relief dropoff location by Jude and Donna Ysrael Baker and Michael Ysrael, who currently heads the Ysrael group of companies.

The Ysrael group of companies was founded by Guam businessman and philanthropist Al Ysrael who passed away last year. It is one of the biggest businesses in Guam and includes Tanota Partners, a family company that owns Outrigger Guam Resort, the Dusit Thani Guam Resort, and the Plaza in Tumon.

Present to receive the Ysraels’ donation last Thursday were Ayuda board members Sen. James V. Espaldon, former senator and Ayuda board member Frank Blas Jr., Ayuda logistics volunteer Joe John Mantanona, Ayuda board member Walden Weilbacher, and Ayuda special projects head Kai Murrell.

On behalf of the Ayuda Foundation, Blas thanked the Ysraels for their very generous donation and said the $100,000 will go a long way toward helping the people of the CNMI cope with the destruction wrought by Super Typhoon Yutu.

“We on Guam know what this type of devastation can do to a community, and, when cash donations are made, it allows the foundation to purchase the necessary equipment and goods that are needed at that moment,” Blas said. “The gathering of resources from the people of Guam and the CNMI have been inspirational and humbling. This is what makes our island and people different from other parts of the world.”

For her part, Donna Ysrael Baker gave kudos to the Ayuda Foundation “for always delivering in a qualified, methodical process that will bring the items needed to the victims in an effective and efficient way.”

She also called on other businesses and individuals to also donate to the Ayuda CNMI typhoon relief fund, reminding everyone that every little donation counts.

The Ayuda Foundation is continuing to solicit donations from individuals, companies and groups that want to help out in this time of need.

Items that are especially needed in the CNMI at this time are bottled drinking water, canned goods, tarps, rope, mosquito coils, nets, mosquito repellants, first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, tools, nails, machetes, butane stoves, butane cartridges, adult and children diapers, paper towels, baby wipes, paper plates, cleaning supplies, cots, sleeping bags, chainsaws, and other items needed for living under rough conditions.

In-kind donations can be dropped off at all BankPacific branches, Island Girl Power, and the mayor’s offices of Piti, Dededo, Agana Heights, Santa Rita, and Inarajan.

Monetary donations are also being accepted and you can make a donation via PayPal through the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ayudafoundation. Just click on the donate button.

The Ayuda Foundation is also accepting check donations that can be dropped off at all BankPacific branches or the foundation’s office at Suite 207 Carl Rose Building 181 E. Marine Corps Drive in Hagatna. Check donations should be addressed to Ayuda Foundation CNMI Typhoon Relief.

In addition, the Ayuda Foundation has coin donation cans that are distributed in various points all over the island.

For more information, call the Ayuda Foundation at (671) 473-3003 or check out the foundation’s Facebook page. (PR)