Luck runs in Smith family

Luck seems to run in the Smith family, especially in raffle promos sponsored by private organizations and groups in the CNMI.

Las Vegas Night grand prize winner Atty. Eric S. Smith revealed this when the event’s organizer, Saipan Rotary Club, handed him the keys to his brand new 2006 Hyundai Sonata during the organization’s weekly meeting at the Hyatt Regency yesterday.

Smith, who used to be work at the Attorney General Office before going into private practice, said he was surprised to find out that he was the grand prize winner and owner of a spanking new car.

He recalled that he and his wife also had won a boat during one of the American Red Cross’ events years ago and this was the second time they won a major prize.

Smith said he bought tickets worth $400 from his wife, Rhoda, herself a Rotarian. He said he didn’t know about him winning the car until the day after the raffle. The event was held Saturday night at the Aqua Resort Club.

He said he went to Rotarian Tim Bellas’ party Sunday night and that was the time he found out about his luck.

“I was surprised. Why didn’t anybody tell me,” he said.

Smith said he is “attached” to his old yellow Toyota Celica and he still has no idea what to do with the new car.

Other lucky winners like Felipe Pedernal, who won $500 cash, and Ruth Pangelinan and Kelly Phillips, who each won $2,500, also received their checks from Rotary president James Whitt yesterday. Warren Villagomez, who bagged $1,000, was not able to attend and receive his prize.

MORE THAN $38K RAISED

With Whitt at the helm, Rotary was able to surpass its target gross sales for Las Vegas Night. Whitt said the club raised at least $37,000 but fellow Rotarian Ed Salas said that, as there are collectibles from other members, the money could reach $38,000 or more.

Whitt said the success of the event wouldn’t have happened without the support and assistance of its members.

The group was targeting to raise at least $30,000 in gross sales, of which $10,000 to $15,000 would be contributed to the needs of the CNMI community.

The club said it has already given away more than $30,000 in cash and check donations to the local community during Whitt’s term.

Some of the club’s contributions include: $12,000 to the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Band for new musical instruments and equipment; $4,000 to Kagman High School and Marianas High School for their vocational education programs; and $4,000 to various public and private elementary and junior high schools to support their literacy programs during Rotary’s Parade of Books Project.

Other contributions, according to Whitt, were: $3,750 for the Rotary’s Youth Basketball Program; $2,000 to support the CNMI man’amko; $1,500 for the Rotary’s tree planting activities; and, $1,000 to the fire victims on Saipan last year.