MGOC gets huge boost

Two days after reeling in $36,000 from three local businesses, the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee received another sizable donation from the community as the CNMI Youth Foundation, Inc. presented a check for $10,000 to the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee last night in the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With a month and a half before hundreds of athletes from Palau, Guam, the Marshalls, Nauru, Kiribati, and the four FSM island states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Yap challenge the CNMI’s finest on Saipan, the CNMI Youth Foundation, became the fourth high-profile contributor to the hosting effort.

“Former board chairman Freddie Guajardo brought the idea up, and when the board met we unanimously approved it because we feel it is a worthwhile project for our youth,” said former treasurer Lupe Borja-Robinson.

The CNMI Youth Foundation, Inc. was a non-profit organization that was formed back in 1996 to support and develop worthy youth projects.

“Sports here have always been under funded—especially women’s and children’s sports,” said Borja-Robinson’s husband John.

His wife added that the benefit of the donation does more than just help the MGOC host the athletes, as the entire community stands to reap the rewards of a healthy lifestyle.

“We’d like to really support women’s sports—especially younger women. Studies have shown that [young women who participate in sports] show less depression, a lower pregnancy rate, and have a higher self-esteem—just a lot of things connected to sports,” said Borja-Robinson.

MGOC Finance Committee chairman Rex Palacios was all smiles yesterday as the Robinsons handed him the five-digit donation at the Oleai Sports Complex, and expressed his gratitude.

The MGOC is extremely grateful for this generous donation. I have known Lupe and this group and they’re very supportive of sports—that’s why they started the organization. Their contribution is a reflection of their desire to promote sports and is also a reflection of the growing community support for the Micronesian Games,” he said.

The task of hosting the Games is monumental, and to join the growing list of Micronesian Games supporters, contact Palacios via email at rexspn@aol.com or by calling 287-0739.