More than 2,500 ‘Walk for the Red’

More than 2,500 walkers joined the 29th Annual Red Cross Walkathon last Saturday morning, prompting organizers and American Red Cross-NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh to declare the organization’s signature fundraiser a success.

The walkathon started around 6am with more than a hundred walkers starting from the 4-H Building in Susupe going south for the 2K, 5K, and 10K distances.

Five aid stations were set up along the stretch from Beach Road toward Garapan (10K mark), manned by staff of Pacific Islands Club, Micronesian Brokers, Inc., Bank of Hawaii, Coca-Cola, and Western Union. They provided water, sports drinks, fruits, and giveaways to participants.

At the event’s staging area in front of the 4-H Building, more than 20 government agencies and businesses set up booths dispensing information and giving away more freebies to participants, who enjoyed numerous activities and refreshments before and after the walk.

Among the favorites were the face-painting, health screening, table activities set up by some of the agencies, and game booths.

Wearing different colored shirts—ARC substituted the usual red hue for green to honor the military—participants along the walk told Saipan Tribune that they have been supporting the walkathon for almost 15 years.

“It is always different. I like the change in color, though, not only because it’s my favorite but I also support our troops out there protecting our country. So ARC seems to be supporting both victims and troops,” said one participant who wanted to remain anonymous.

Other participants during quick interviews all had one thing in common: “We’re here to support our schools and the walkathon.”

The annual fundraiser saw a bigger turnout this year, thanks mainly to additional participants gathered through ARC’s involvement with schools.

“We’re hoping that the bigger turnout would raise more proceeds to fund ARC in its humanitarian mission,” ARC board member Larry Lee said.

Hirsh said that everyone liked the military-themed shirts this year.

Saying the health fair was more coordinated this year, he singled out Ayuda Network’s Diana Camacho for playing a major role in ensuring that all partner agencies were there.

“None of this could be possible without the volunteers, the donors, and everyone else that partnered with us and the timing couldn’t be better because we just had Tropical Storm Bavi. Around 60 homes on Saipan and Tinian were destroyed in the storm’s aftermath. We’re also working with volunteers in Guam to come here and help,” Hirsh said.

When asked if the proceeds would go to the victims, Hirsh replied that accounting and how the money is managed is not a simple thing. “Everything gets processed but there are no question that it will go to help those victims and, yes, some of the proceeds will be handed out to them.”

Hirsh said that winners will be announced in the next two or three days including the amount of funds raised.

Last year’s walkathon raised over $65,000 and had a total of 2,512 walkers.

“It’s a lot of work and we have over 30 schools and make sure the pledges and dollars match and tabulate everything. Once we’re done we will let everyone know,” he said.