CARE outreach helps 37 homes, cleans up storm debris

Volunteers of the Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts sort storm debris in Dandan. (Frauleine S. Villanueva-Dizon)

Volunteers of the Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts continued with storm debris sorting and staging project this past weekend, focusing their efforts in Dandan in a coordinated effort with Rep. Edwin Propst. During the group’s operation on Saturday, Nov. 7, CARE assisted 37 homes, removed 315 cubic yards of storm debris, and conducted 52 client intakes/home assessments to identify unmet needs.

“We are so grateful for the community leadership shown by Rep. Propst in helping to make this cleanup such a success,” said CARE director Jenny Hegland. “Debris removal is an important step in the long-term recovery process, and with volunteer and village support like this weekend’s we will continue to implement CARE’s mission to build a more resilient community.”

CARE also partnered with United 4 Saipan and AmeriCorps for this event. Team leads trained by AmeriCorps led the work conducted by 132 volunteers, giving a total of 436 volunteer hours of service. Volunteers included groups from Best Sunshine, MINA, Beautify CNMI, the Chinese Association of Saipan, Agape Christian School, and other high schools and churches.

Additional assistance was provided by the Department of Public Works. Tools and supplies were provided by United 4 Saipan and AmeriCorps. Reps. Joseph Lee Pan Deleon Guerrero, Angel Demapan, Roman Benavente, and Propst, United 4 Saipan, Best Sunshine, and Joeten Enterprises provided lunch and snacks for the volunteers.

“CARE will be continuing our debris project this upcoming weekend,” said Hegland. “We are asking for volunteers to join us again this Saturday morning in Kagman to provide a helping hand for our neighbors in need and to help us build a more resilient community.”

CARE will again be partnering with United 4 Saipan and AmeriCorps for this cleanup event on Saturday, Nov. 14. Interested volunteers are asked to meet at Kagman High School at 8:30am. There they will be assigned to a team leader who will direct their cleanup efforts. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants and closed-toe walking shoes. Water and lunch will be provided.

CARE is helping to build a more resilient community by facilitating coordination between network partners, business and government leaders, and community volunteers, identifying unmet needs, and delivering long-term support to those most impacted by disaster. For more information, go to www.cnmicare.com. (CARE)

Volunteers of the Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts sort storm debris in Dandan. (Frauleine S. Villanueva-Dizon)