McDonald’s reaffirms commitment to SLLBA

The Saipan Little League Baseball Association recently received another shot in the arm as Joe Ayuyu and McDonald’s reaffirmed their commitment to the youth of the CNMI by pledging to donate $3,000 to the organization as they did in 2005.

“I’m very, very happy this year to be again involved with the Little League. Even if the economy isn’t that great, I believe in our kids I we need to support them. To me it’s a very worthwhile investment on my part to put it into these kids. We’re all part of the team and we all need to help each other,” said Ayuyu.

Just days after the SLLBA received similar pledges from Microl Toyota and Pacific Trading Co., Ayuyu made the announcement to the SLLBA board of directors as they gathered at his restaurant location on Chalan Pale Arnold, and the owner added his approval of the organization’s personal approach toward solicitation.

“I’m very excited, I’m very happy. In the past when people solicit, they just ask in a letter and that’s the end of the story, but you guys are very different—I like that. You actually come and see the person so you can see the person’s eyes—you really ask for it,” he said

The announcement marks the third major corporate sponsor to join the SLLBA in its quest to offer the youth of Saipan a way to make the most of their free time by promoting a healthy lifestyle.

“Your help last year, Mr. Ayuyu, is not the amount but the commitment of your company to our youth program. Not just because you donated the $3,000 to the program, it is because of the willingness and the commitment that you turned back to the community and one way is helping the kids in the little league program,” said SLLBA president Mike Borja.

Aside from his financial contribution, Ayuyu’s commitment in 2005 also translated into a day under the sun at the end of the season as he joined the SLLBA board of directors in handing out the individual and team awards upon Tan Ge Field.

“It’s a small amount but I hope it really helps the board do what they have to do. I remember several years ago that the board of directors had to hustle and go out and take away a lot of valuable time away from the kids in order to find money. My message when I first started with the program was for the board to concentrate on the kids and don’t worry about the financial because from my side we’ll try to help you out,” said Ayuyu.

Ayuyu also said that he will continue to support the league as long as he can because he believes in the kids and the SLLBA’s commitment to them.

“My commitment with the past president will continue, but my commitment really is to the kids and will continue regardless of who is in charge, and I know you will continue to improve the way the league is run. I am a businessman, so other than feeling good for the kids, when I see the numbers and I see that there’s growth in the number of kids participating it goes back to the job that the board of directors that they have done a good job recruiting more and more kids to play the game,” he said.

The only thing that Ayuyu said that he wanted to do was give more, but he said that he has his sights on renewing a friendship tournament with teams from Saipan, Guam, and Japan competing in a McDonald’s sponsored event.

“This is an investment on my part that I will never look back. It’s good. I wish I could do more. We’re going to try to do more, I’m going to talk to the president to do what was done about five years ago when we brought a team from the Japanese Little League to Guam, and send a team from Saipan,” he said.

According to Borja, the SLLBA is always looking to enter into partnerships with members of the local businesses community, and those interested in supporting the kids on and off the field can contact him by calling 322-9889.