Program coordinator Geri Willis of Operation CNMI Homefront Support told the Variety that they received a total of 180 names and addresses from families and relatives of CNMI military personnel.
The boxes, which were packaged at the Army Reserve Center in Puerto Rico on Saturday, are ready to be shipped by Wednesday, she said.
“We packaged 200 boxes, and the extra boxes are reserved in case we receive additional names and addresses from the community,” Willis said.
She said they sent 240 boxes last year but the number is less this year as many of the deployed servicemembers are already home.
Willis said in addition to the donations from Joeten affiliates — Price Costco, Triple J Super Fresh Market, and Tinian Fleming’s Store — they also received donations, including cases of Spam, from Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, his wife Josie and from cabinet members, indigenous t-shirts and Marianas Trench booklets from Beautify CNMI, letters and drawings from school children, personal donations and canned goods from San Vicente Elementary School, hand-knit beanie caps from Sylvia, Janet, Jill, Jane, Melanie, Ling, Eve and Cynthia of the Knitting Club, Beach Road Magazines, cases of coconut chips from Mr. Horiguchi, cookies from Joeten Hafa Adai Bakery and Herman’s Modern Bakery, Friday Morning Stampers from Coffee Care, stamping holiday letters and handmade cards, and promotional giveaways from IT&E.
Willis said the Bank of Saipan and the Rotary Club donated postage for the packages.
Homefront Support also thanked the Army Reserve Center for the use of tables, chairs and location to package the boxes.
The Homefront team consisted of Candice Dunston, John Hirsh and Kennedy Benjamin of the American Red Cross; MCV’s Mark Birmingham, who did all the banners, flyers, and TV advertisements; Geri Willis, with Operation CNMI Homefront Support and the Department of Commerce; and Angelo Villagomez of the Rotary Club of Saipan and Beautify CNMI.
“We would like to thank the community again for their continued support,” Willis said.
