Community gathers for KKMP’s Fiji relief drive

Across Garapan Fishing Base, community volunteers and Best Sunshine International, Ltd. CSR team joined KKMP’s Typhoon Winston Relief Drive. (Contributed Photo)

KKMP’s Fiji Typhoon Winston Relief Drive brought together many in the community in support of the island nation’s recovery after taking heavy devastation from the category 5 weather system that made landfall in the South Pacific archipelago last February.

“The relief drive was brought on because of typhoon Winston which hit Fiji on Feb. 20,” said KKMP’s Gary Sword, the authorized organizational representative of the Fiji Typhoon Winston Relief Drive.

The relief drive was held last Saturday.

During the disaster, some 44 people died and 44 others missing, while leaving heavy trail of physical destruction estimated at $250 million.

“We wanted to do something from Saipan for Fiji,” Sword added.

Among the many who provided direct relief last Saturday was Best Sunshine International, Ltd. BSI donated money, supplies/clothing, and volunteer work during last Saturday’s relief drive held at the Garapan Fishing Base.

“The devastation from Typhoon Soudelor left the people of Saipan with an overwhelming challenge in coping with and recovering from the devastation. As we watched the people in Fiji deal with the aftermath of typhoon Winston, we sympathize and our Corporate Social Responsibility was immediately moved to assist with the relief effort organized by KKMP,” BSI CSR director Rita Chong separately said in a statement.

She also added that the CSR personnel assisted with receiving donations and participated in the roadside relief drive, also held last Saturday.

The CSR team also held an in-house clothing and supply drive within the company.

“From Wednesday last week to Friday next week, we are hosting an in-house drive. Basically, there are boxes in every department and we are accepting any form of donation, be it clothing and or any supply,” BSI CSR coordinator Anthony Yoshikawa separately said.

“The in-house drive has actually been very successful. We were able to donate hundreds of items of clothing and supplies. We really appreciate it and we are very grateful for the donations. We lived the situation, we know what it’s like, and we should give our love.”

All proceeds will be donated to the people of Fiji as they continue their road to recovery.

“The monetary donation made by BSI will go straight to Fiji. We certainly and deeply appreciate Best Sunshine’s involvement,” Sword said on Saturday. “They showed up this morning with breakfast, big smiles, and people ready to work. They really helped us a lot. By just having the people around means the world to us and the people in Fiji.” (PR)