TSL Foundation jumpstarts fundraiser for Tinian church

Friend of San Jose Parish co-chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, front row, fourth left, and San Jose parish priest Fr. Rey Rosal, front row, center, receive the Tan Siu Lin Foundation’s $100,000 check donation for the Friend of San Jose Church from TanHoldings Corp. chief executive officer Jerry Tan, front row, second from left, last Friday at the San Jose Church on Tinian. The Tinian and CNMI leadership led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, front row, sixth left, and Mayor Edwin Alddan, back row, eighth left, Friends of San Jose Parish officers and parishioners, and TanHoldings and TSL Foundation officials witnessed the donation ceremony. (Contributed Photo)

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation took the lead in the fundraising efforts to help rebuild the San Jose Church on Tinian with a $100,000 donation to the Friends of San Jose Parish.

TanHoldings Corp. chief executive officer Jerry Tan handed over the check to San Jose Parish priest Rey Rosal and Friends of San Jose Parish co-chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds last Friday in the presence of the group’s other officials, TanHoldings Corp. and the TSL Foundation officers, parishioners, and the Tinian and CNMI leadership headed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan.

With the donation, Aldan said TanHoldings Corp., through the TSL Foundation, has proven time and again that it can be counted on when the community needs help.

“TanHoldings and the TSL Foundation don’t forget Tinian. They’ve been coming here and providing assistance to us, be it in sports or community projects. I remember how they support our soccer program and how they welcome our players every time they play on Saipan,” said Aldan, who announced the foundation’s donation during the opening of the 63rd San Jose Fiesta Celebration last Friday.

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation is the first group to donate a substantial amount for the rebuilding effort, King-Hinds said.

“It is incredibly hard to raise this amount of money on Tinian, given the size of our population and given the fact that we don’t have the presence of large businesses that have the ability to donate sizeable amount of cash. What I am most thankful for is Jerry’s commitment to help us by being a member and partner of Friends of San Jose Parish and collaborating with us to raise funds. The value of his support is immeasurable and I have no words to describe how grateful we all are,” she added.

The foundation’s donation will be used for the rebuilding of the San Jose Social Hall that was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yutu in October last year.

The project, according to King-Hinds, would cost between $300,000 and $500, 000, while the construction of the new and concrete church has been estimated at $1.7 million. The church, though still standing, sustained massive damage, with its walls, doors, roofs and windows broken and the equipment/furniture inside either repaired or replaced for short-term use.

The TSL Foundation, the charitable arm of TanHoldings Corp., recognized the immediate need to rebuild the church’s social hall.

“The social hall will not only serve as a temporary place of worship, but will also be used for community gatherings, regardless of religious denomination. Once the concrete church is constructed, they will turn the social hall into a community center where town-hall meetings, public hearings, health and wellness outreach programs, and other activities for Tinian residents can be held. With many structures on Tinian flattened by Super Typhoon Yutu…having a social hall that has multiple functions will best served the people of the island,” said TSL Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino.

Rosal said it will take two to three years to rebuild the church.

“Thank you, TSL Foundation, Jerry Tan, and TanHoldings family for sharing your blessings with the people of Tinian, with the San Jose Parish. To other donors, please help us rebuild our church. I know you are there just waiting for us to knock on your doors,” Rosal said.

Tan said the money intended to help rebuild the Tinian social hall is part of the $1-million donation that the foundation allocated for Yutu recovery efforts.

“When we split the donation among CARE CNMI, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Mass Care, and other affected groups, there was $100,000 left and we decided to hold on to it. Now, we know why we kept the $100,000—it has a purpose, to help the people of Tinian,” Tan said.

“We have a long way to go, as far as our recovery efforts from Yutu are concerned, but we are on track, as we continue to be resilient and work together,” he added.

Torres praised Tan and the foundation for coming to Tinian’s aid the same way they helped Saipan when Super Typhoon Yutu hammered the island.

“When Super Typhoon Yutu struck our islands, the TSL Foundation was among the first groups to respond and donate during our islands’ time of need. San Jose Church is an important part of the community on Tinian, and it was devastated. We are very fortunate to have people like Jerry and the TSL Foundation step up and help rebuild the San Jose Social Hall as the first phase of rebuilding San Jose Church. They truly represent our shared vision for a stronger Marianas,” Torres said.

Tan said the foundation will reach out to friends and partners in Guam to seek help to rebuild the San Jose Social Hall. (PR)