TSL Foundation raises over $20K for Humanities Council

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, third from right, and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, second from right, join Northern Marianas Humanities Council board chair Tracy Guerrero, center, and member Lee Tenorio, second from left, TanHoldings chief executive officer Jerry Tan, rightmost, vice president for corporate affairs and human resources Catherine Attao-Toves, leftmost, and Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, third from left, for a group photo during the donation presentation ceremony for the Field of Heroes: We Will Never Forget last Friday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation was able to raise $20,894 from its “Field of Heroes: We Will Never Forget” event, which is a CNMI-wide commemoration event for 9/11.

TSL Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino shared the good news last Friday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium during the proclamation signing declaring September as the Field of Heroes: We Will Never Forget Month. The funds were then donated to the Northern Marianas Humanities Council to support its health and wellness programs for the CNMI’s community heroes and their families. Tolentino, TanHoldings vice president for corporate affairs and human resources Catherine Attao-Toves, and TanHoldings chief executive officer Jerry Tan presented the ceremonial check to Northern Marianas Humanities Council board chair Tracy Guerrero, with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios joining the donation turnover ceremony.

Guerrero thanked the TSL Foundation for organizing the 9/11 commemoration event and the individuals and companies that supported the Field of Heroes, as their generosity will go a long way in helping fund projects for the CNMI’s community heroes. She said the Northern Marianas Humanities Council will continue to lead activities and raise awareness of issues affecting the islands’ community heroes.

Sgt. First Class Darlene Manglona, who joined the group of military personnel honored in last Friday’s event, said the support and appreciation they get from the community gives them strength and courage everyday as they fulfill their duties and responsibilities, especially during difficult times.

Meanwhile, Tan said that TanHoldings and the TSL Foundation are honored to hold an event dedicated to first responders, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and veterans. He added that a lot have changed since the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago, but the one thing that has remained constant is the community’s heroes’ commitment to their sworn duties.

“In 2001, the firefighters who rushed into the World Trade Center tried to save lives even though they knew they would probably die. But they still performed their jobs. …Today, because of the pandemic, people are scared and want to stay home. But look at the first responders at the airport, at the quarantine center, and at the hospital. They go to work every day so that the rest of us will be safe. The sacrifices that the first responders make are real,” Tan said.

This year’s Field of Heroes: We Will Never Forget is the sixth edition of the commemoration event and the TSL Foundation vows to continue the memorial and other related activities. The foundation also thanked the following for the success of the event: Heritage sponsor J.C. Tenorio Enterprises; field sponsors National Park Service/American Memorial Park, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, and Office of the Mayor of Rota ; star and stripes sponsors E-Land Group, D&Q, IT&E, Hotel Valentino, GPPC, Triple J, TakeCare, and Marianas Variety; patron sponsor Docomo Pacific, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, McDonald’s, MARPAC, and First Hawaiian Bank; and other sponsors JET Holding, City Trust Bank, Pacific Trading, Co., Hyatt Regency Saipan, and Hardt Eye Clinic. (PR)