A total of 52 employees of the Transpac group of companies participated in this year year’s annual American Red Cross fundraiser compared to last year’s 43.
Volunteers tended their aid station where water and fresh fruit were passed to walkathon participants.
Transpacific International Inc. and its affiliated companies were the premier sponsors of the event and set up booths as early as 5 a.m.
Hundreds of people were seen queuing for their free Subway sandwiches and Foremost Crystal Clear bottled water and Foremost Orange Juice.
Subway Restaurants and Foremost Foods Saipan set up food and beverage stations at Kilili Beach Park where the six-mile walk to and from the Garapan Fishing Base began.
Twenty Subway giant subs along with over 2,400 single-serve units of Foremost beverages were served to the participants.
Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia) Inc. donated 10 cases of Glacéau Vitamin Water intended for walkers who donated an extra $3 to the American Red Cross on top of the $15 pledge upon registration.
These walkers each received one free bottle of Glacéau Vitamin Water and a trolley ride back to the starting line.
All proceeds at the Glacéau Vitamin Water booth went directly to the American Red Cross.
Glimpses of Saipan set up a photo booth where walkers could have their photos taken with the lovely cover models of Beach Road Magazine.
The Transpac group likewise donated six-foot Subway sandwiches, five dozen cookies, and 100 single-scoop coupons for Foremost Scoops as incentives to schools that generate the biggest support to the walkathon.
“We have been a large supporter of the Red Cross walkathon and its mission for years and this year was no different. We are committed to giving back to the communities where we do business,” said Johnnie Fong, Group president of Transpacific and its affiliates.
John Hirsh, executive director, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, acknowledges the “fantastic” support extended by the Transpac Group.
He said, “Premier sponsors like TII set the tone of the event and the Red Cross couldn’t have pulled off the successful walkathon without the sponsors.”
He said the companies under the Transpac Group, being “very established and well recognized brands,” drew people to the event.
At an appreciation dinner hosted by Transpacific International Inc. on eve of the walkathon, Hirsh conveyed his gratitude to the Transpac group and its employees, saying their continued support contributed in a big way to the successful community event.
Toward the end of the appreciation dinner, Fong reiterated the commitment of the Transpac Group to sustain its support of the annual American Red Cross walkathon fundraiser.
“Our group of companies believes in the humanitarian cause of the American Red Cross and we look forward to supporting the annual walkathon for many more years to come,” Fong said.
