2005 Corporate Challenge for Education: A huge success

Over 400 people enjoyed good weather and friendly competition at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s 5th Annual Corporate Challenge Saturday at American Memorial Park.

The Chamber holds this event as a fundraiser for its Education Scholarship Fund. Each year the Chamber awards $2,500 worth of scholarships to deserving local students who will be pursuing their education at a college, and the Corporate Challenge raises the bulk of the funds for this community service.

The Chamber’s Events Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of these fundraisers.

The event also serves as an enjoyable way for Saipan businesses to come together and enjoy the camaraderie. Businesses are encouraged to invite all employees and employees’ families to the beach for a day of fun and barbecue together.

Games this year included an egg toss, a team boardwalk, and a blindfolded water game. The obstacle course had a fruity theme—team members balanced bananas, limes, and tried to eat an apple hanging from a tree.

The “Fear Factor” eating contest featured only one course, a cake smothered in nacho cheese sauce, jalapenos, and maple syrup. To the delight of onlookers, contestants ate this delicacy without using their hands.

Happy winners at the 2005 Corporate Challenge for Education were: Pacific Trading Co., champion; Hertz Rent a Car, runner-up; and CTSI Logistics Marianas Express Line, second runner-up. Incidentally CTSI was last year’s first-place winner.

Team winner of the obstacle course, Matson, won a certificate worth $100 at Paradise Island Chiropractic.

First place winners took home a one-night stay at Hyatt’s Executive Suite, two spring 2006 tuition waivers at Northern Marianas College, two Verizon polo shirts, two Saipandas stuff toys from Marianas Visitors Authority, one MVA backpack, five Verizon beach chairs, a Sunday brunch for two from Aqua Resort Club, five Saipan Sunset Cruise dinners for two, two one-night stays at Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, five $20 merchandise certificates from Saipan Shipping, and five $20 gift certificates from Hard Rock Café.

Second place winners received two one-night stays at Aquarius Beach Tower, two NMC spring 2006 tuition waivers, two MVA polo shirts, two Saipandas stuff toys, five Verizon towels, one Aqua Resort Club seafood buffet for two, five Pacific Islands Club Magellan lunch and waterpark passes for two, and one Dai-ichi Hotel Spa massage.

Third Place team winners received one one-night stay at the Hyatt Hotel, one NMC spring 2006 tuition waiver, one Saipanda stuff toy, one MVA polo shirt, five Verizon shirts, five PIC waterpark passes for two, and a $15 gift certificate for the Marianas Resort Spa.

The winner of the Team Spirit award, Dai-ichi Hotel, won $250 gift certificate from Tony Roma’s. With the prize Dai-ichi Hotel will be able to treat the team members and many of the Dai-ichi staff who contributed to their Team Spirit award.

Many local businesses supported the Chamber’s 2005 Corporate Challenge for Education. Teams that donated $300 to join in the games were Triple J Wholesale, D&Q Saipan, Coca-Cola Beverage Company, Dai-ichi Hotel, Pacific Island Club, PacifiCare, Moylan’s Insurance, MVA, CTSI Logistics Marianas Express Line, Saipan Stevedore, Hertz Rent a Car, DFS Saipan, Triple J Motors, Hyatt Regency Hotel, World Resort Hotel, Saipan Shipping, Matson, Pacific Trading Co., and Hardt Eye Clinic.

Many businesses gave the Challenge donations of prizes or support equipment. They include Tony Roma’s, Hyatt Regency Hotel, NMC, Verizon; MVA; Aqua Resort Club, Saipan Sunset Cruise, Inc., Dai-ichi Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, Saipan Shipping, Aquarius Beach Tower, PIC; Paradise Island Chiropractic, Triple J Wholesale, Pacific Trading Co.; Detry Company, G4S (Formerly Securewest), Island Music Shop, Seafix, and Ericco. (PR)