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Mangilao donates more than $4K to Saipan relief
On behalf of Mangilao, Mayor Nonito Blas donated $4,265.70 to Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang that would go to post-Typhoon Soudelor relief and recovery efforts on the island
The check was given to the Saipan Mayor’s Office by former Saipan lawmaker Antonio Agulto.
Apatang said he held a teleconference call with Blas early Monday morning and accepted the generous gift from both Blas and the community of Mangilao.
“We’d like to thank families and friends in Mangilao and we will always remember their thoughtfulness and families here who have lost almost everything,” Apatang said.
The community of Mangilao and Blas fundraised for the purpose of helping families in need after Typhoon Soudelor destroyed homes and displaced families on Saipan.
Blas said that families here on Saipan were one of the top priorities.
“It is our duty to help them in any way we can. The community of Mangilao came together as one, with a single mission and that was to give to those who sustained losses a chance to recover and at least provide for some basic needs,” Blas said.
Apatang said the donation will be used to purchase supplies, drinking water, and other necessities for families in great need.
Apatang said they will also be coordinating with the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter on how best to maximize the donation so that more would benefit.
“The amount of help pouring in is overwhelming and very touching and we’re very thankful to have families and friends in Mangilao,” Apatang said.
Saipan Mayor’s Office special assistant Henry Hofschneider said that Blas himself reached out to Apatang first.
“We’re not sure if we will be receiving relief efforts from the other mayors in Guam but they might donate,” Hofschneider said.
Tinian and Rota mayors have already turned in their donations in the weeks after Typhoon Soudelor and the money was disbursed to the public through non-profit groups that received the donations.
