THANKS to the support of public and private partners, the turnout for the Family Fun Day hosted by the Division of Youth Services on Saturday was comparable to what it was before the Covid-19 pandemic, DYS Administrator Vivian Sablan said.
The last time they had such a big turnout was in 2019, Sablan added. They had to cancel the event in 2020 due to the pandemic and when they resumed it in 2021, the turnout was low because of the Covid-19 restrictions still in place.
This year, Family Fun Day coincided with the eve of Mother’s Day “and we’re back to pre-Covid-19 turnout,” Sablan said.
“We are very grateful for the overwhelming turnout and support from our partners, which is what we aim to do every year — strengthening our partnership with our community, the public and private sectors, so they can help us bring awareness in our continuous fight against child abuse and neglect,” Sablan said.
Among the agencies that put up informational booths during Family Fun Day at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion were the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Safety, the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services which also brought some of its fire trucks and heavy equipment to give children an opportunity to know more about how they work.
Sablan said the children enjoyed the rides and the chance to operate the trucks.
For their part, donors provided an abundance of giveaways for children and their parents, especially mothers.
Sablan said their theme was, “It Shouldn’t Hurt To Be A Child.”
Vontae John Borja, 7, scoops toys from a basin of jelly spheres while Joten-Kiyu Public Library Bookmobile Supervisor Leora Terlaje watches during the Division of Youth Services’ Family Fun Day at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion on Saturday.
Graydon Ngiralmau, 10, is assisted by Department of Public Works Knuckle Boom Truck Operator Bryan Blas.
Firefighter Leo Laniyo puts his helmet on the head of eight-year-old Johana Sarabia as her mom Jeanette helps out.
