BANTALAN Sugar Dock Inc. on Tuesday donated $240 to the manamko’.
Bantalan president Ramon Cabrera, treasurer Vivian Fleming and board vice chairman Stanley Villagomez handed the check to Saipan Seniors Advisory Council president Genia Draper in the presence of Aging Office Director Walter Manglona, at the manamko’ center where the senior citizens were enjoying their Thanksgiving lunch provided by Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang. Joining them were Reps. Joel Camacho, Ralph Yumul and John Paul Sablan.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan brought fruits and other gifts to the manamko’.
Manglona said each year, Kilili provides senior citizens with Thanksgiving presents.
As for the Bantalan group, Cabrera recognized their board chairman, William Ada, advisory board member Martin Ada and the rest of the members and officers for making the cash donation to the manamko’ possible.
Cabrera said Bantalan plans to further reach out to the community and will soon launch a youth program.
Villagomez said they wanted to make a donation to the manamko’ when the organization was formed last year, but the Covid-19 pandemic prevented them from doing so.
Now, he added, they are very happy to extend assistance to the senior citizens.
On behalf of the manamko’, Draper thanked the Bantalan officers. “May you all be blessed and may you continue to do this next year for everybody else,” she added.
Manglona, for his part, extended “a huge thank you” to the Bantalan members “for their generosity especially in this time of pandemic when there’s a lot of hardship and sadness around the world.”
He said the manamko’ are glad that many people in the community are still willing to provide assistance to the elderly.
Bantalan Sugar Dock Inc. president Ramon Cabrera, second left, hands a check donation to Saipan Seniors Advisory Council president Genia Draper, center. Also in photo are Aging Office Director Walter Manglona, left, Bantalan board vice chair Stanley Villagomez, right, and treasurer Vivian Fleming, second right.
