Relief Effort Raises $50K for Japan
Mayors, public safety officials, administration, private sector team up
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2011
More than $25,000 was raised to help Japan at boot and bag drives yesterday. The efforts were organized by the government-wide disaster relief group, co-chaired by First Lady Christine Calvo. She also facilitated a $25,000 donation from Calvo’s Insurance Underwriters for the relief effort.
“It’s incredible–there are no words to describe how overjoyed I am,” First Lady Calvo said. “This wouldn’t be a success without the generosity of the people of Guam, and the outpouring of support from our government workers non-profit groups, service organizations and volunteers.”
Friday morning, Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency raised more than $4000 by soliciting donations at the Paseo Loop.
In the afternoon, First Lady Calvo led two consecutive drives, again at the Paseo Loop and at the ITC intersection. The Mayors Council of Guam also held a bag drive in Harmon. According to Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares a number of her colleagues and their offices participated with her at the event:
- Dededo Vice Mayor Andrew Benavente
- Barrigada Mayor Jessie Palican
- Barrigada Vice Mayor June Blas
- Santa Rita Mayor Dale Alvarez
- Sinajana Vice Mayor Robert Hoffman
“We thank the people who came by. A lot of them who were coming from HagÃ¥tña and Tamuning already donated at the boot drives at the ITC and Paseo intersections. Others already had their checks prepared in envelopes, and they just dropped them in to the donation bags. This goes to show the kindness and generosity of Guamanians,” Mayor Savares said.
She added the Mayors Council is planning another drive next week, possibly on Route 4 to allow more people to donate.
In total, all four drives collected more than $25,000, which will go to the Guam chapter of the American Red Cross. Governor and First Lady Calvo, along with other government officials, will present a check of all the contributions made to date to Japan Consul General Yoshiyuki Kimura and Red Cross Executive Director Chita Blaise on Tuesday.
Governor Eddie Baza will also declare that day an “Island-wide Day of Reflection and Remembrance” in honor of the victims and the families affected by the recent tragedies.
More Information
Checks can be made payable to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In order for these donations to directly benefit the Japanese people, all memo lines on checks must include: “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.”
Anyone interested in helping the people of Japan, through this drive can contact Jesse Alig at 475-9353, or email relief@guam.gov.