Disco night draws crowd of 1,200

The Hyatt Regency Saipan was booming with the sounds that ruled the airwaves in the ‘70s Saturday night as the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter Club 200 attracted about 1,200 people, most of whom were possessed by disco fever.

Not even Mother Nature’s on and off wet showers were able to drizzle out the crowd, which celebrated while at the same time, contributed to ARC fundraising efforts intended at providing funds for its daily operations as well as relief service to the community.

“Awesome is the only word to describe it,” said ARC-NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh. “It was a wonderful evening and a very great turn out.”

Hirsh said funds from the event would be used for disaster relief directly to clients, including single family fire victims and people affected by small disasters, and serves as the “lion share” to support the local chapter.

As to how much funds were raised by the event, Hirsh said the ARC would disclose the amount probably by Tuesday.

“We won’t know for another day or two,” he said. “We still have to audit all the tickets and transactions and double check everything, but by Tuesday, we should know.”

Dubbed as the Club 200 Disco Inferno, the event also featured raffle giveaways including a grand prize of $25,000, claimed by Ronald Hansen.

“I was excited…it’s unbelievable,” Hansen said in a phone interview. “It’s the first time I bought a ticket, and it comes at a very good time. I can really use the money to clear up credit, and I also will have major surgery soon, so the money can be handy.”

Hansen was nowhere near the stage area when his ticket No. 948, was picked out by mistress of ceremonies Patricia Coleman.

“I’m old and I felt lazy to go,” the Kagman II resident said. “I do not go out at night.”

His wife and daughter, instead, were at the area; however, the two left before the grand prize raffle was conducted.

“We’re very surprised. They just got home and John Hirsch called and told me I won. We’re all excited of course. The holidays [are approaching] and my son will be home for the first time in many years,” said Hansen, who purchased his ticket last Thursday at MISA Travel.

Hansen’s son is currently in Fort Lewis after recently serving in Iraq.

Also having his fair share of luck was Antonio P. Sablan, whose ticket No. 444 was pulled out for the first prize raffle, resulting in him winning a brand new 2005 Toyota Camry donated by Microl Corp. and Club 200 sponsors.

The $5,000 in cash second prize was won by Venerando Cruz, who held ticket No. 131.

In all, 43 prizes were up for grabs during the raffle, including roundtrip tickets for two to any U.S. destination, family packages to Japan, Bali, and Korea, cellular phones, $1,000 cash, and weekend packages at various resorts and hotels, and a 12,000-BTU air conditioner, among others.

“We thank the donors for helping make this all possible,” Hirsh said. “[Donors and volunteers] are really the lifeblood of our chapter. This wouldn’t have been possible without the donors in partnership with volunteers. So we’re thankful we got our community’s support.”

The Club 200 event was first held on Managaha Island 18 years ago with a crowd of 300 people.

“Now we have 1,200 people, so its very fulfilling,” said Juan Pan Guerrero, who chairs the financial development and service delivery for the ARC-NMI Chapter. “That’s probably one of the reason why I continue [as a volunteer] with the Red Cross. I find that satisfaction in helping. Our chapter is strong and we’re very well recognized nationwide. We provide beyond our mandate programs.”

“This is the only time I’ve seen so many people dancing and don’t want to go home. [Saturday night] was the determining point of success. It’s a night that a lot of people will remember for a lifetime.”