McDonald’s donates $5K to Karidat

McDonald’s executive secretary Mable Ayuyu, second from right, presents to Karidat Social Services executive director Lauri Ogumoro, third from left, the company’s donation for Typhoon Mangkhut victims on Rota, as initiated by Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), left. (Erwin Encinares)

McDonald’s Saipan donated over the weekend $5,000 to a religious outreach program in the CNMI for the victims of Typhoon Mangkhut.

McDonald’s Saipan donated Friday $5,000 to Typhoon Mangkhut victims on Rota through Karidat Social Services, led by executive director Lauri Ogumoro.

According to McDonald’s Saipan executive secretary Mable Ayuyu, the company considers Rota and Tinian as siblings.

“We are CNMI. We are a commonwealth. …It’s kind of a sibling. If Rota gets hit [by a typhoon], we are also affected,” she said. “We care about them; [Rota] also comes to help us.”

Ogumoro noted that Chalan Kanoa Diocese Bishop Ryan Jimenez urged Karidat to head over to Rota soon after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the CNMI’s southernmost island with wind speeds of over 100 mph.

“…We provided Rota families with vouchers and we did some assessments of what they need,” said Ogumoro.

She noted that Karidat has applied for a grant with Catholic Charities USA. “The more we get, the more we can do on Rota to provide services to individuals and families,” she said.

Ogumoro said Karidat would be using the money for food and supplies. “We kind of complement what the [American] Red Cross-NMI Chapter is doing because things on Rota are so expensive, so everything adds up. If you have been affected by the typhoon, it would be difficult to get over that hump to make it whole again, so it is a little bit of assistance that will [help] people,” she said.

Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) reached out to McDonald’s Saipan and acted as a catalyst for the donation, according to Ayuyu.

“On behalf of the people of Rota, we thank everyone. We have an outpouring of support for our people and we truly appreciate the support they are extending to the people of Rota and [victims] of the typhoon,” he said.

In a separate statement to Saipan Tribune, Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota) also extended her gratitude to those who have supported the island after the typhoon.

“On behalf of the people of Rota, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, the departments, and agencies for extending their full support and assistance to restore and rebuild our island of Rota,” she said. “The people of Rota are forever grateful and [this support] will always be cherished in the hearts of our people.”

McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan, owned and operated by Joe and Marcia Ayuyu, first opened in 1993 and includes eight McDonald’s restaurants, two on Saipan and six on Guam. In 2016, the Ayuyus acquired all McDonald’s restaurants in Guam.