McDonald’s donates $5K to ARC’s Club 200 event

McDonald’s shift manager Joe Ayuyu Jr., second right, and his sister Mable E. Ayuyu, executive assistant to the president right, hands over their check donation to American Red Cross-NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsch, third left, in yesterday’s simple ceremony at McDonald’s Middle Road. (Jon Perez)

McDonald’s Saipan is once again giving the American Red Cross NMI Chapter a helping hand for its upcoming Club 200 fundraiser.

The local franchisee of the popular fast-food restaurant donated $5,000 for the Red Cross’ signature fundraising event.

Siblings Joe Jr. and Mable Ayuyu presented the $5,000 check to ARC NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsch. Joe Jr. is the shift manager of McDonald’s Saipan, while Mable is the executive assistant to the president.

They said the Red Cross is an organization that gives back to the community by providing various services in times of disaster like when Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August last year.

“The other groups and organizations, they are always around and yes, we are also happy to help them but when you are in a corner and you have lost a lot, these [ARC] guys are there to pick you up and rescue you and kind of give you motivation to move on and give you the strength as well. That’s what separates these guys from the other groups,” said Joe Jr.

Mable added that ARC is the largest organization helping the community, having a greater reach of influence.

“We believe that the Red Cross are superheroes, you know? That’s why the theme of this year’s event as my brother would say is very fitting to what they do for the community. They’re like the unsung heroes that nobody really knows when we need them unlaess Typhoon Soudelor or some huge disaster happens,” she added.

Tickets for the event, which is set on Oct. 15 from 6m to 10pm at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, are $100 per person or $125 at the door.

As alluded to by Mable, this year’s Club 200 will adopt the theme “Super Heroes Dinner and Raffle.” It will allow participants to enjoy a delicious meal and have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including the $10,000 grand prize while supporting a worthy cause.

All proceeds of the event will go locally to support other local American Red Cross programs to further aid in revitalizing the community.

One such program is the Disaster Service Program, which helps the community by aiding in the spread of awareness concerning disasters in the CNMI and responding to fires, flooding, and typhoons. Moreover, DSP also focuses on long-term recovery, for up to three years after events take place.

“It took about six months to efficiently help with damages from the recent typhoon, spending $5.5 million on repairs,” said Hirsch.

Health and safety, assisting families of those in the armed services, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, swimming, and lifeguard trainings are the other programs that ARC offers to the community aside from disaster preparedness and assistance.

Hirsch said their goal for the fundraiser is to be able to sell 1,200 tickets, which could amount to more than $100,000. (Michael T. Santos)