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GES wins 3rd place in McDonald’s ‘Race to Raise’ campaign
Garapan Elementary School’s vice principal Jaclyn Quitugua, poses with McDonald’s executive assistant to the president Mable A. Glenn, main branch general manager Joyce Asistores, and 2022 Employee of the Year John Michael Navarro at the Chalan Lau Lau branch last March after the school was named third place winner in McDonald’s Race to Raise campaign. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)
Garapan Elementary School was named the third-place winner in McDonald’s Saipan’s “Race to Raise” competition, after the school collected 239 tickets to its name, thus allowing it to bering home the $2,000 cash prize.
McDonald’s officials and employees presented the cash prize to GES vice principal Jaclyn Quitugu last March 22, 2023, at the restaurant’s main location in Chalan Lau Lau, but officially released the news to the public only last week.
Quitugua extended her gratitude to those who supported the school in the campaign. “We’re so grateful for all our teachers, our families, our friends and our entire staff that helped us win and reach our goal. We were hoping for at least one of the Top 3 and we got third place, which is really great! The cash prize will help us with whatever we need to get for our students and our staff,” she said.
The “Race to Raise” fundraiser, held as part of McDonald’s of Saipan’s 30th anniversary on the island, was intended to show the restaurants’ support for the CNMI Public School System, education, and all students. The campaign began on March 1, 2023, and continued until March 19, 2023. During that period, patrons of McDonald’s who had purchased meals worth $15 and up were encouraged to drop their receipt in a drop box designated to the school they wish to support.
As third-place winner, GES closely tails second-place winner Kagman Elementary School, which received a $3,000 prize. William S. Reyes Elementary School, which received a total of 602 receipts, was the competition’s first place winner, receiving a prize of $5,000.
“McDonald’s of Saipan values integrity, community, and family, and we are passionate in the young generation to learn and develop important skills for their bright futures,” said McDonald’s of Saipan and Guam president Joe Ayuyu Sr.
As a way of further showing its support of schools, McDonald’s will be giving all other participating public elementary schools in the CNMI that did not win, including Tinian, and Rota, a participation prize of $500 each.
