{"id":401871,"date":"2023-11-20T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=401871"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Biba-Red-Cross-rings-out-at-fundraising-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Biba-Red-Cross-rings-out-at-fundraising-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Biba Red Cross!\u2019 rings out at fundraising dinner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Big hair, shoulder pads, and multi-colored outfits that hark back to the \u201980s era took center stage last Saturday evening at the Kensington Hotel Saipan, with over 300 people packing the venue at the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter\u2019s Back to the \u201980s fundraising party.<\/p>\n

With several different individuals pulling off different versions of Madonna, to various rock stars, retro Barbies and Kens and even an island version of Prince himself, the crowd, music, costumes and the nostalgia for the \u201980s were not the only vibes that filled the room.<\/p>\n

As the fundraiser coincided with the NMI Chapter\u2019s 45th anniversary, the event was also filled with ringing cries of \u201cBiba, Red Cross!\u201d and messages of appreciation for the impact and presence of the American Red Cross\u2019 local chapter over the years. Among the video recorded messages from the chapter\u2019s supporters and both past and present board members, one video included American actress Lea Thompson of Back to the Future<\/em> fame, who extended her personal thanks to the tireless effort of the NMI Chapter, and a greeting for happy 45th anniversary.<\/p>\n

In a conversation with the chapter\u2019s director, John Hirsh, he said the venue was completely sold out. \u201cWe had 320 seats to sell and we sold all of them, so we\u2019re very excited about that. \u2026Whenever you have an event like this, some people don\u2019t show, they have a conflict or something like that, but they came out and supported us and bought tickets so we sold out all the tickets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hirsh said they are hoping to raise around $90,000 from the event.<\/p>\n

As the last of the NMI Chapter\u2019s annual two-part fundraiser, Hirsh said this one late in the year had been different from their usual Club 200 fundraiser, which usually sees a larger crowd of about 1,200 people.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut due to difficulties in the economy and the workforce, it\u2019s really hard for us to hold an event that large, so we scaled it back and came over to our partners at Kensington, and they\u2019ve been a great host to us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Also, with a tropical depression warning hoisted over the CNMI, Hirsh said they had to hold the event indoors. Although that meant a smaller crowd, Hirsh said they would also have avoided a downpour had it rained.<\/p>\n

The chapter\u2019s business operation coordinator, Selmalyn Taitano, said, \u201cIt\u2019s really nice for us to see the community come together and support a good cause and I hope they continue to do so in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hirsh said the CNMI has had so many storms over the years and the Red Cross has invested millions of dollars in recovery efforts, providing assistance to families whose homes have been damaged and need that extra lift \u201cand the Red Cross has been there.\u201d He said they will continue to give assistance where there is a need.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The crowds Top 3 favorite outfits of the night with \u201cMusician Rob\u201d(center) taking the best costume prize during the American Red Cross- NMI Chapter\u2019s Back to the \u201880s Party at Kensington Hotel Saipan in San Roque last Saturday.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Over 300 community members packed American Red Cross-NMI Chapter\u2019s fundraiser called Back to the 80\u2019s Party at Kensington Resort in San Roque last Saturday.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Several individuals show off their Back to the 80\u2019s outfits during the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter\u2019s Back to the 80\u2019s Party at the Kensington Resort in San Roque last Saturday.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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