By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE parents of Dandan Elementary School students on Saturday held a flea market on campus to raise funds for the completion of a stage.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan and the PTA president, said the activity was the first of their fundraisers that aim to raise $15,000.
“Throughout the year, we try to raise funds to help the school,” said Rep. Benjamin B. Seman, R-Saipan and PTA vice president. “This year we want to address the unfinished stage. Traditionally, our biggest fundraiser is the Cultural Day. But because we saw a need to intensify our drive to help the school, we decided to come up with this flea market.”
The original cost of the stage was $65,000.
“But the school had only $50,000 (for the project), so it’s facing a $15,000 shortfall,” Seman said. “We intend to raise that amount in order for this stage to be completed in time for the students’ graduation next month.”
Last year, the school’s PTA raised $18,000 on Cultural Day.
During the flea market on Saturday, 12 vendors participated and paid $135 in fees.
“As early as 7 a.m., we saw a lot of people wanting to buy stuff before the vendors actually set up their items. And we’re very happy with the turnout because despite the economic situation here, the community is always there to assist us,” Deleon Guerrero said.
According to Seman, “We’ve been conducting fundraisers since the school opened. Every year, the PTA provides each of the 24 DES classroom teachers with $100 worth of school supplies, and this has been a great help to our teachers.”
“This is a team effort and we need to assist our schools especially in this time of economic difficulty to make sure that our students are getting the best education possible,” Deleon Guerrero said.