Manta Ray Band’s ‘Keep A Flame Tree Alive’ fundraiser kicks off

 Another major fundraising campaign for the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Band was launched yesterday following the group’s acceptance of the first five seedlings sponsored by U.S. Congressional Delegate Gregorio Sablan.

With the theme “Keep A Flame Tree Alive,” the Manta Ray Band is seeking the community’s support by sponsoring a seedling for $100 to be planted in different areas and villages on islands.

The campaign is part of a larger effort to raise $300,000 for the 50-member student group that will perform this summer at the London Olympics. Their goal is to get enough sponsorships to plant 180 seedlings.

Sablan sponsored $500 worth of seedlings, which he helped students plant in Koblerville yesterday. At the simple turnover ceremony, Sablan said the activity is a win-win situation for students, donors, and the community.

“The Manta Ray’s flame tree fundraising is such a worthwhile cause to support. Not only does it help the band members get to London for their historic representation of the Northern Marianas at the Olympics-something we will all be so proud of. But also by planting flame trees around the island we are contributing to the long-term beauty of Saipan and strengthening our local tourism industry,” said Sablan.

Sablan thanked Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold Palacios, Agriculture director Tom Castro, and CNMI Forester Victor Deleon Guerrero, Jr. for providing the seedlings to the Manta Ray Band. Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, SSHS principal Jesse Tudela, and the band’s musical director, Will DeWitt, were also recognized for conceptualizing the idea to generate funds for the group.

According to DeWitt, individual or groups can sponsor a tree that will be planted next to the Koblerville Elementary School and other areas in the community. He said the fundraiser will run until their scheduled trip in July this year.

Saipan Tribune learned that the band has an estimated $150,000 raised from fundraisers and donations so far. It still needs over $100,000 to cover the entire trip.

“I know it’s a lot of money but with the support we’re getting from the community, we’re very optimistic,” said DeWitt.

Tudela, for his part, announced the band’s upcoming raffle fundraiser on May 4 at Fiesta Resort & Spa Hotel. Of the 1,500 tickets produced for the event, only 200 have so far been returned to the group.

The group will also have a mini-concert in collaboration with a Korean musical group. The members are also planning to participate in the upcoming Liberation Day festivities.