AAG is Club 200’s grand prize winner

Beginner’s luck worked its magic Saturday night for assistant attorney general Tiberius Mocanu, who emerged as the grand prize winner at the 23rd Annual American Red Cross Club 200 at Fiesta Resort and Spa-Saipan.

Mocanu, who moved to the CNMI a little over a year ago with his wife, Northern Marianas College English instructor Kaitlyn Neises-Mocanu, went home $15,000 richer that night with ticket number 1384, which he bought from Docomo Pacific’s Nola Hix.

When Hix’s name was called and not Mocanu’s, he approached the stage with her to explain that he was the proud ticket owner.

“It’s amazing,” Mocanu told reporters shortly after being announced the winner. “My wife has no idea I won!”

The Romania-born, San Francisco-bred Mocanu said this was his first time to win something in a raffle draw and plans to use the prize money for a trip with his wife to see the Festival of Lights in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Mocanu led the list of lucky individuals and organizations that won great prize packages for the annual fundraising event of the volunteer-led humanitarian organization’s local chapter.

Other winners are Susan Cabrera (ticket no. 0586), who won the first prize, a 2011 Ford Fiesta donated by the Joeten Charitable Foundation and Joeten Motors; Tinian’s Esther Barr (ticket no. 0523) who won the second prize of $5,000 cash; and Merle Hudkins (ticket no. 7790, who won the third prize, two Economy class tickets to any U.S. destination from Delta Air Lines plus $500 cash.

Guests also had the chance to win any of the three treasure chests valued at $1,688, $1,586, and $1,393 by purchasing special raffle tickets sold at the event for $10 each.

Saturday’s event had a crowd estimate of about 1,200. This year’s biggest party-for-a-cause had a “Fantasy Island” theme. In the end, bragging rights in the costume contest went to the island-inspired getup of Soledad Tenorio, who came in a vintage orange swimsuit, and Gary Sword, who donned a tie-dye garb accentuated with shell necklaces, fake dreadlocks and a rasta-colored beret.

Live music was provided by Afetnas Regime and Latte Vibes.

The Red Cross NMI Chapter also presented special awards to Health and Safety Program’s Gilbert S. Muña, disaster volunteer John Atalig, and Red Cross Representative for FEMA Region IX office Rothwell “Rock” Ahulau, who was celebrating his birthday that night and won the 10th prize.

The Hawaii-born and raised Ahulau, in an interview after accepting his award, said he flew to Saipan solely for the Club 200 event and was not expecting the recognition.

According to Ahulau, the NMI Chapter of Red Cross is the “most prepared and trained chapter in the Pacific,” thanks to the efforts of the staff led by executive director John Hirsh and the volunteers.

Hirsh, for his part, said that they feel thankful that the Saturday morning’s heavy shower gave way to a “gorgeous night.”

“The event is phenomenal and it’s a big success as so many people came out to support the Red Cross,” he said.

Hirsh estimated that about 1,300 tickets were sold, with the exact number of tickets and money raised to be finalized in the coming days.