Over 2K turn up for 28th Red Cross Walkathon

More participants finish their walks during Saturday?s 20th American Red Cross Walkathon. (PHOTOS BY JAYSON CAMACHO)

Over 2,000 joined the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter’s annual walkathon on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the 4-H Building in Susupe near Civic Center.
The 28th American Red Cross Walkathon started as early as 5:30am and had participants walking from Susupe to as far as the Garapan Fishing Base under three separate walkathon marks: 2K, 5K, and 10K.

The event also featured school booths for registration, concession and health provider booths of various organizations, and entertainment.

Booths included that of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Commonwealth of Transit Authority, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Commonwealth Cancer Association, Diabetes Coalitions, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Family Violence Task Force, Ayuda Network, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., NMC-CREES Aquaculture, Public School System, Head Start Programs, Hardt Eye Clinic, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., MARPAC, Northern Marianas College, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, NMPASI, Coalition on the Anti-Stigmas of Mental Illness in the CNMI, Coke, Subway, and Foremost.

Volunteers and Saipan International School staff coordinated the entertainment and assisted participants.

The event also included game booths, a face-painting booth, an appearance by Happy D’ Clown, a bouncing castle, and a petting zoo courtesy of the Saipan Zoo.

John Hirsh, executive director for the ARC-NMI Chapter, said he is thankful for the various volunteers, family members, schools, organizations, students, providers, and everyone at the event.

“The event would have never been as great as it is without the help and support from everyone who participated and helped to make this successful,” he said.

Hirsh said it was a great turnout. “We were blessed with the weather, people are out with their families, the Public School System, volunteers, the sponsors, and organizations that have joined today.”

Hirsh noted that walkathons were also held on Tinian and Rota.

According to him, board members of the NMI chapter on Tinian and Rota said the event turned out great too, with many community members joining the silver celebration of one of CNMI’s biggest walkathon events.

Hirsh said the total amount raised from the event, including the amount raised by individual students and donors, will be tallied this week.

Prizes will be given to those who raised a lot. Four of the top student fundraisers will get to chose prizes such as a Blu-Dash 5.0 smartphone, Kindle Fire HD, and a $200 gift certificate for Athlete’s Foot/All-Star sports equipment.