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G*GAP concert yields $3.17K donation for NMPASI
Nippon General Trading Corp., which operates the Country House Restaurant, in collaboration with Hafadai Beach Hotel, donated proceeds from a two-night charity concert to tsunami victims in Japan and to the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc., more commonly known as NMPASI, a local non-profit organization that provides protection and advocacy services on behalf of individuals with disabilities—each receiving over $3,000 in cash donations.
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- NMPASI volunteer board member Robert Torres, third from left, back row, and NMPASI executive director Jim Rayphand, second from right, back row, pose for photo with Country House executives and G*GAP Band members during a concert intermission at Hafa Adai Beach Hotel. (Contributed Photo)
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- Country House HR manager Alexia D. Lisua, far left, hands over a cash donation to NMPASI executive director Jim Rayphand, second from left. Also in photo, NMPASI client advocate Cleo Nening and legal counsel Matt Holley outside the NMPASI office in Guala Rai. (Contributed Photo)
The G*GAP Band is a premiere country western band from Japan that has been making an annual tour stop on Saipan for the last several years in support of the Nippon group’s charity efforts.
Country House general manager Katsuko Kato said: “We’ve been donating money to off-island charities for the last several years. Last year we donated to charities on behalf of Japan and Oklahoma disaster victims, but this year we wanted to include a local beneficiary. We decided on NMPASI as a way to help individuals with disabilities.”
NMPASI was founded in 1993 with a mission to protect the civil, legal and human interests of individuals with disabilities. Since its inception, NMPASI has provided assistance to thousands of local residents with disabilities in the form of:
(1) free legal services/representation to combat various forms of discrimination due to their disabilities;
(2) free outreach/training activities throughout the community (to include Tinian and Rota) on issues relating to the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities; and
(3) free advocacy services for the elderly who may not otherwise qualify under our disability-related programs.
NMPASI executive director Jim Rayphand said: “We’re humbled that Mr. Sago (owner of Country House) and Kato would recognize NMPASI’s efforts on behalf of people who have disabilities with such a generous donation… and the G*GAP concert was a blast to boot.”
Other sponsors of the charity event(s) besides Country House Restaurant and Hafaadai Beach Hotel included: Delta Air Lines, KSPN 2, The Visitors Channel, Pacific Trading Co. Ltd., Certified Angus Beef, MarPac, Inc., and Gary Liddle. (NMPASI)
