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MVA ‘disappoints’ project organizer
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Posted on Dec 06 2006
The organizer of the third Project Holiday Cheer expressed disappointment with the CNMI’s tourism agency after it failed to extend financial assistance to the annual project, which is intended to bring cheers to CNMI soldiers on active mission.
Pacific STAR Center for Young Writers Inc. director Kathryn Tuten-Pucket told Saipan Tribune that she couldn’t believe that the Marianas Visitors Authority could not give a “humble” $200 to $300 for the project. Instead, the agency provided them old island Christmas greeting cards.
Tuten-Pucket said the project is also intended to promote the islands, since the letters could also be read by fellow soldiers who are on active duty.
“I’m disappointed. We wanted their assistance so that we could also put the MVA logo on the card that we’ll be distributing,” she said.
Tuten-Pucket pointed out that MVA had recently approved funding for the “Happy Children in Paradise” promo, allotting a hefty $60,000 for the summer program.
Hundreds of cards are now winging their way to various destinations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa since Monday this week.
This year’s Project Holiday Cheer held its final phase of gathering the letters at San Vicente Elementary School last Friday since the school garnered the highest number of letters that will be sent to U.S. soldiers abroad.
Tuten-Pucket, who spearheaded the project, said that SVES made 318 letters this year.
Schools participating in the project are: Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Tanapag Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Calvary Christian Academy, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas Baptist Academy, Mt. Carmel School, Northern Marianas Academy, Saipan Community School, Seventh Day Adventist Elementary School and Whispering Palms School.
