‘The Crank’: Guam not done in aiding Saipan

Frank “The Crank” Camacho assured Saipan that Guam would support their northern neighbor every step of the way in rebuilding its community after being battered by Typhoon Soudelor.

Camacho, who was born in Guam but grew up on Saipan and a local mixed martial arts celebrity in the Marianas, spearheaded a fund and relief drive on Guam to raise aid for Saipan residents.

He said that, although it was his first time organizing a relief drive, it was one of the most rewarding experiences he has ever done.

“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart with all the help and assistance these past few weeks with our sister island of Saipan. Prayers to all who are still recovering and struggling in this tough time,” said Camacho in an email to Saipan Tribune.

“We are not done yet. We have more fundraising events here on Guam with lots of people and businesses willing to help with the Saipan Relief Effort,” he added.

Camacho, in less than a week’s time, managed to fill a 40-foot container with various essentials by people who lost everything when Soudelor passed by Saipan on Aug. 2.

“It took me less than a week to fill up the container. It was an amazing experience. It was shipped and arrived in the third week of August.”

The items that Camacho collected were bottled water, tarps, buckets, empty pails, canned foods and other non-perishable goods, baby diapers and other baby care products, and gas stoves.

United 4 Saipan and the Marianas Young Professionals helped Camacho in distributing the items to families who are most in need of aid. “[They] played a huge role with the distribution of the goods and assisting with the logistics of the containers’ arrival on Saipan.”

Camacho added that United 4 Saipan also has a detailed map of the people and families that are in need, and specifically what are the things that they are now lacking.

“It was amazing to see such a detailed map and file collection of contact information of these people and families. Jenny [Hegland] and the United 4 Saipan group have done a phenomenal job.”

He and his friend, Pat Alepuyo, dropped goods to the numerous families and individuals in the villages of Chalan Kiya, Navy Hill, Capitol Hill, and Kagman.

He added that he was really impressed on what United 4 Saipan has done in helping the people in need. “United 4 Saipan has a great systematic process of handling people in need during this time. They gave me a list of families and people that were in need. All I had to do was drive to their location and drop off the goods.”

Since the container’s arrival, families were helped on a daily basis, which Camacho said was an experience of a lifetime.

“I personally was able to assist a hand full of families in my past trip to Saipan. The amount of strong willed people and families I got to meet was such a blessing.”

Cars Plus Guam, Guam Home Center (donated $8,000 worth of goods), Marianas Young Professionals, MSA, Saipan Shipping, Sons of Saipan, Pikas Café, Grass Roots Project, Fokai Industries, Marianas Open, Customs Fitness Gof Metgot, ITMC Guam motorcycle group, Guam Hawgs motorcycle group, Trix Seven One, West Care, St. Thomas Aquinas Mock Trial Team, Naval Hospital Galley Crew, and the Office of Guam Sen. Michael San Nicolas helped Camacho in his relief drive.

“And there are so much more and others to mention. So much people came out to help with their donations. A huge thank you to all,” Camacho ended.