Dandan children’s playground needs more volunteers

More volunteers are needed to help maintain Dandan Homestead Children’s Park, which is set to open soon.

Frank Camacho, Dandan Neighborhood Watch Task Force block captain, said that several residents already volunteer their time every other Saturday to help do yard work at the children’s park. Volunteers spend about four hours or a half-day’s work.

“We get about eight to 20 volunteers, depending on the availability of the people. But Dandan is a big village and we’d like to get more volunteers,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Some 15 volunteers did bush cutting and raked leaves and trash at the children’s park last Saturday morning.

“We’re trying to help out our captain with the park to get the kids to start using the facility,” said Eric Cruz, one of the volunteers.

Cruz, who volunteered for the fourth time, encouraged volunteers from neighboring villages like San Vicente and Koblerville to pitch in.

“Volunteers are important and needed in maintaining the cleanliness of our park. I’m a businessman and I sacrifice my time in the business, with family and friends to be here. I hope we can all have time to spare for this,” he added.

Marlena Castro, 16, said she started volunteering her time with the task force a few weeks ago to help out in her village and for her community service requirements at the Saipan Southern High School.

“I follow where the Neighborhood Watch goes,” she said. “It keeps me out of trouble.”

Castro encouraged other youth in their village to join in the efforts of the Neighborhood Watch Task Force. “Speak out and see what’s going on. It will give you a sense of fulfillment.”

Camacho said the children’s park has been around for over two years but it was only recently when they had the two pavilions and the basketball court at the park renovated through the $50,000 Commonwealth Development Block Grant administered by the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation also donated $5,000 to purchase the playground equipment installed at the park, he said.

This week, Camacho said they will put four loads of sand given by the Coastal Resources Management to level the children’s playground.

“Hopefully, we will open the park for the use of the kids and everybody in the community by early September,” added Camacho.