DFS donates $3.1K to Tsunami Saipan

DFS Galleria Saipan recently donated $3,100 to the Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan to help defray the cost of sending their swimmers to the 2009 Guam Championship Meet at the end of this month.

Present during the check presentation were DFS Galleria Saipan general manager Shogo Ando, president Marian Aldan-Pierce, and assistant general manager Vicente “Ben” Babauta. Receiving the check in behalf of the two-year-old club was Tsunami Saipan president Stan Good.

Good thanked DFS Galleria Saipan for its generous donation and said the money will go a long way in helping the finances of the club.

“In these continuing tough economic times, our swim club is especially vulnerable. The Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan relies totally on volunteers, team dues, and sponsors donations to operate. Without such generous support, such as this DFS donation, the swim team could not continue.”

Babauta, for his part, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to extending a helping hand to worthwhile causes like Tsunami Saipan’s participation to the Guam meet.

“DFS continues to support youth organizations in sports and other worthwhile events to promote youth health, develop skills, and character building for our children.”

Good said DFS Galleria Saipan’s gesture shows that the company recognizes that the club is a young organization that has accomplished a lot in the two years since it started.

“Tsunami Saipan provides a well organized, competitive swim team whose members have broken 47 records since starting last year and 29 swimming records in the current swim season,” he said.

Good added that some of their youngest swimmers in the 8-and-under age group have broken 30-year-old swimming records, while the senior swimmers dominate regional events.

“This completely volunteer club also provides Red Cross Water Safety Lessons to the community at large, and encourages team participation in other community events, like the recent Red Cross Walkathon.”

The Tsunami Saipan president reiterated that part of DFS Galleria Saipan’s donation will be used to help send swimmers go to the Guam Championship Meet, which runs from May 29 and 30 at the Hagatna Pool.

“A few of our kids have never been off Saipan, and some have never been to Guam. This donation will allow those kids who have worked hard in practice to compete in Guam,” Good said.

Following the swim meet, Good said the club members will attend a swim clinic and the donation will help offset pool fees and other costs associated with the training.

From its humble beginnings with two swimmers in August 2007, Tsunami Saipan has grown to 32 full-time members.

Tsunami Saipan embraces the coaching philosophy of the Tsunami Swim Club in Guam. This philosophy stresses high character traits necessary for the rigors of competitive training, a respect for the sport and team loyalty, intensive stroke technique, and a willingness to overcome obstacles.

These are many of the same traits that local swimming pioneers Bill and Jean Sakovich stressed during Saipan Swim Club’s 30-year reign as the island’s only swim team.

DFS Group Limited, for its part, is the world’s leading luxury retailer catering the traveling public. Founded in November 1960, the company started operations in Hong Kong and spread to Europe and other places around the globe.