Saipan Tribune

Monday, September 06, 2010

Friday, October 30, 2009

Public schools turn over $6K for Samoa

Public schools in the Commonwealth turned over yesterday a $6,000 check donation for the tsunami-hit schoolchildren in American Samoa.

The Board of Education led by chair Lucy Blanco Maratita and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan presented the check to Gary Sword, project coordinator for the CNMI Tsunami Drive for American Samoa.

The money will be used to buy school supplies and to rebuild school buildings.

According to Peter Lea'u, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services, a big bulk of the donation came from Saipan Southern High School, which gave $1,500. San Vicente was the second highest, with $1,200.

All PSS students, he said, participated in the raising the money through the weeklong “Spare a Dollar Drive” campaign launched by PSS.

Other schools, including Rota and Tinian, were also lauded for their contributions.

“I am very happy with the outcome of our fundraising drive. Last Saturday, PSS pledged $3,000 for the relief drive for American Samoans. However, when our finance director reported that we have total collection last night of $6,000 we're very excited,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

According to Sword, the total value of all cash and in-kind donations now amount to $100,000 as of yesterday. These include clothes, food, other items, and shipping costs. Cash donations from individuals, groups, and agencies, including the $6,000 from PSS, totaled over $30,000.

The group will collect donations until Oct. 31, according to Sword.

Containers will be sent to American Samoa on Monday and cash will be sent through Bank of Guam.

Sword said they are coordinating with the American Samoa Rotary Club to distribute these donations.

“All cash and in-kind donations will go directly to children of American Samoa,” he said, adding that 8,000 to 10,000 kids are expected to benefit from the CNMI donations.

Sword said five schools in American Samoa were totally washed out by the tsunami on Sept. 29. He said the donation will help rebuild these instructional facilities.

“We thank everybody who supported the drive.this is over and beyond [our expectations]. It turned out very well and people are very supportive. Their generosity is amazing,” he added.

School principals and PSS employees were present during yesterday's turnover ceremony at the PSS central office.