SVES wins $8K in McDonald’s fundraiser

San Vicente Elementary School was named the grand prize winner of McDonald’s Saipan anniversary fundraiser and will be awarded $8,000 cash prize for topping the competition among public elementary schools.

McDonald’s Saipan human resource and marketing manager Ana Olaes disclosed that over 53,000 in total coupons were turned in by nine participating schools at the end of the tabulation on 2pm Saturday.

SVES, which led the race in its second week, successfully maintained its standing after it recorded a total of 11.475 points in the competition’s final counting.

The grand prize winner was just slightly head of second place Garapan Elementary School, which turned in 9.615 points and will receive $2,000 cash prize from the fastfood company. In third place is San Antonio Elementary School which will receive $1,000 cash prize after garnering 8.010 points in the final counting.

Other participating schools have the following points during Saturday’s final counting: William S. Reyes Elementary School (6.948 points); Koblerville Elementary School (5.789 points); Oleai Elementary School (5.752); Tanapag School School (2.433 points); Dandan Elementary School (2.140 points); and Kagman Elementary School (1.817 points). Awarding rites will be on Wednesday at the store’s Middle Road branch.

In a visit at the store Saturday, hundreds of customers—all endorsing coupons for their schools—were seen lining up at the counter as early as 10am. Olaes said the overall coupon turnout was unexpected and said McDonald’s Saipan is grateful for the community’s support to the school children.

The manager disclosed that they were touched by the messages seen in many coupons which were especially written by public school students themselves. Olaes said the overwhelming turnout of the fundraiser is an indication of the community and families’ continued support to the needs of the public schools.

“We’re very proud and extremely happy because through this fundraiser, we can help children in public schools. The success of this campaign is not possible without the help of families and community members,” she told Saipan Tribune

She added that McDonald’s Saipan was also overwhelmed to see a great number of families spending time and sharing meals with their children all throughout the campaign period which was from Feb. 25 to March 17. Olaes especially noted the hard work of many students whom they saw distributing their school coupons in some public areas and events.

This is the first time that McDonald’s Saipan, the island’s leading fast food restaurant, inked a partnership with the CNMI Public School System as the company celebrated its 19th year of service to the people of the island.

McDonald’s is known for its great service to the community. In 2009, the same type of fundraiser was held for the private schools. Last year, it extended its helping hand to the NMI American Red Cross.