13 CNMI groups, schools get $30K donation from Bridge Capital

Christmas is more about giving than receiving especially during tough times, and Bridge Capital LLC exemplified this when it donated a total of $30,000 to 13 non-profit organizations, schools and advocacy groups based on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Yesterday morning’s donations led by Bridge Capital principal and chief executive officer John K. Baldwin and co-manager Shawn Scott bring to over $70,000 the total amount that the company has donated to different organizations and schools this year.

Bridge Capital is an international investment banking and asset management company headquartered on Saipan.

Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, press secretary Angel Demapan, other government officials and other Bridge Capital representatives witnessed the presentation of checks held in the governor’s conference room on Capital.

The 13 recipients of Bridge Capital’s donations include Karidat Social Services, First Lady’s Vision Foundation, Ben Fitial Foundation, Friends of the Arts, Beautify CNMI, NMI Council for the Humanities, NMI Crime Stoppers, Pet Assistance and Welfare Services or PAWS, Turtle Advocate and Guardian Society, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos High School on Rota, Tinian Junior High School, and Marianas High School.

Representatives from many of these groups separately thanked Bridge Capital for the donations, saying the donation will go a long way in supporting their programs and activities.

Inos thanked Bridge Capital for “being a good corporate partner,” and for its contributions to the CNMI community since 2006.

Baldwin, during a brief ceremony, said they have always been identifying needs in the community and address them.

Besides donations to charitable organizations and groups including those that promote and preserve art, music, and literature, the firm has also sponsored annual art competitions for the last three years.

Baldwin said Bridge Capital is contemplating on partnering with the organizers of the Flame Tree Arts Festival next year, and will continue to support Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Band for its London trip.

“I think that to be a good corporate citizen, we all have to remember that during tough times, people need more help, not less help. And we have a good company, we work hard. We made a commitment 20 years ago to always give to the community. It’s an important thing to do. Things are tough so we want to give more,” Baldwin told Saipan Tribune in an interview later.

Sam Sablan, executive director for MINA, said they’re “very grateful” for Bridge Capital’s donation especially because “in today’s economy, it’s hard to find donors to support environmental programs. Many do not prioritize the protection of the environment, and it’s been challenging for us.”

“We will use the donation of $2,000 to promote conservation,” Sablan said.

Frank Gibson, treasurer for Friends of the Arts, said the donation will help support their programs and their charity organization. Friends of the Arts received a $2,000 donation.

During a similar ceremony last year also in the governor’s conference room, Bridge Capital donated $38,700 to 13 organizations; one of them-Karidat-received a donation of a new van. That brought last year’s total donations to almost $51,000.