Rotary Club treats man’amko to Thanksgiving lunch

As has become a club tradition, the Rotary Club of Saipan came together last Tuesday at the Office of Aging Center in Garapan to serve the island’s elderly with an early Thanksgiving lunch.

With a full on show and meals on hand, Rotarians joined forces to bring Thanksgiving food from Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, entertainment from the Marianas Got Talent group, as well as games and giveaways for the congregants of the Office on Aging, as a form of thanks to the island’s elderly.

One of the center’s clients, Jesus B. Pangelinan, said he was very grateful to the Rotary for always thinking of them, and that he enjoyed the day.

“It was full of fun and full of food,” he said. “We are very, very thankful to the Rotary Club for feeding us today. We’re very thankful, we’re very grateful.”

Man’amko Association president Virginia “Ginny” Reyes told Saipan Tribune, “We’ve had this each year. The Rotary Club of Saipan would make lunch for us and then we have prizes that they give out and we’re so thankful to them from the bottom of our hearts. We’re so happy.”

She said the Office of the Mayor of Saipan, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), and the Rotary Club of Saipan always remember the man’amko every year.

“They are the three main groups that, every year, no matter what, they would do something for us. From all of us, we want to say siyu’us ma’ase for thinking of us. This week is Thanksgiving [and] it is a time to give thanks for everything we’ve received. …And we’re so thankful for what we’re getting this year. We’re saying thank you to the Lord, thank you to our family, and thank you to the food we get.”

Rotary Club’s William “Billy” Grow, who was the event coordinator, said, “ It was teamwork. It was collaboration, everything was working together. I picked up the food, we set it all up, working with Crowne, we were helping put it together; the whole Rotary team. Rotaracts were involved, everybody was involved, so it was more of getting everybody together so it worked out everybody filled in the gaps.”

Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s Das Krishanan said, “This is a community service. Crown Plaza is always willing to support and help. We want to give a good service to the community and the man’amko and appreciate what they are—that’s what’s very important.”

Rotary Interactors and Rotaractors were also present to serve, many saying that they were happy to be a part of the event

Interactors from Marianas High School Gwanpil Son and Alton Cruz said they felt moved by the act. “I think it was very fun and we got to help the people out,” said Son. “It felt very fulfilling and it was good to see the people have fun with their friends. We’re glad that we get to help them.”

“It was a nice get-together with the man’amko,” Cruz added. “It was great to interact with the older people, and it’s really fun watching them sing at the stage.”