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Fundraising concert for Ballesteros raises $1.2K
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Posted on Dec 23 2008
Close to 200 people from wide section of the CNMI community participated in Monday night’s Saipan Pacific Winds’ fundraising concert for the family of murdered security guard Efren Ballesteros.
The concert, which lasted two hours and a half at the Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret, raised over $1,200 for the widow of Ballesteros and his two children on Saipan.
“It was absolutely amazing. It was a full house. Some people were seen giving twice the same night. The outpouring of community support was really overwhelming and it was great to see,” according to Saipan Pacific Winds’ conductor William DeWitt.
DeWitt said their goal was a thousand dollars, but they exceeded that by far.
“Everything that people gave was a free will offering,” DeWitt told Saipan Tribune yesterday.
The Friends of the Arts gave $250 cash, while PIC offered the Charley’s Cabaret for free.
DeWitt said even the students who performed handed some money.
It was an emotional concert as the murdered security guard’s widow and two sons, including a five-month-old baby, were present as Christmas music and carols were played and sang.
“It was an amazing evening,” DeWitt said.
The Saipan Pacific Winds, the CNMI’s sole community concert band, is a non-profit performing group composed of more than 40 members. The concert was the group’s seasonal Christmas program.
Ballesteros, 45, was found dead at Marianas High School campus in Susupe where he was assigned in the morning of Nov. 18, 2008. He received massive injuries to the face and head caused by blunt objects. He also suffered a possible fractured skull, police said.
Ballesteros’ wallet containing $300 cash and a wristwatch were reportedly stolen.
Three teenagers are charged in the case.
