McDonald’s donates $10K to the Red Cross for ‘Gala’

American Red Cross-NMI Chapter board members, McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan president and CEO Jose C. Ayuyu, second from left; McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan vice president Marcia E. Ayuyu, fourth from left, and others share a photo yesterday at McDonald’s Middle Road location. Holding the check is executive director of the American Red Cross- NMI Chapter John Hirsh and American Red Cross- NMI Chapter board chair Mable Glenn.
(JOSHUA SANTOS )

McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan handed over a $10,000 check yesterday to the American Red Cross-Northern Mariana Islands Chapter that will go toward the chapter’s “Red Cross Gala” on Feb. 26. 

This donation makes McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan the event’s first donor, and is so far the event’s first “Lifetime Achievement” sponsor—the highest tier of sponsors for the gala. 

Present for the handoff was American Red Cross-NMI Chapter board members, McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan president and chief executive officer Jose C. Ayuyu, and McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan vice president Marcia E. Ayuyu. 

Jose Ayuyu lauded the Red Cross for its work, especially during times of disaster in the CNMI, and hoped that the donation will inspire other companies to contribute to the Red Cross, and encouraged the community to donate whatever they can to the Red Cross and its causes. 

“This morning is a very important morning for us, because we’re making a big—or small—contribution to an organization that has been in our islands for many, many years. …They do such important work in our community, [and] without them it would be very difficult for the community to recover in times of disaster,” said Jose Ayuyu. “I hope that this amount will lead other companies to follow our suit in [helping] out the Red Cross. …I appeal really to the companies on Saipan to be part of our community in terms of assisting the Red Cross.”

Marcia E. Ayuyu thanked the Red Cross for all it does for the community and thanked all who were present for the check handoff for coming out. “Our donation really shows that we’re here for our community and we’re here for the Red Cross,” she said.

John Hirsh, executive director of the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, expressed his gratitude to Jose Ayuyu and his family for their continued support.

“This is such an exceptional gift [and we] just can’t thank the Ayuyu family enough for your generosity year in and year out. …You’ve had a long history of philanthropy in the community and giving back to the community, and we’re just so proud at the Red Cross that you value the work that we’re doing,” said Hirsh. 

The first “Red Cross Gala” is set for Feb. 26 at Kensington Hotel Saipan. It will be an exclusive, Hollywood-themed event celebrating the Red Cross’ 43 years of humanitarian work in the CNMI.

For those interested in sponsoring the event and having tables/seats at the gala, the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter asks you to email board chair Mable Glenn at mable.glenn@redcross.org or call the NMI chapter office at 670-234-3459.