HUNDREDS of children and their parents participated in the Rotary Club of Saipan’s Community Egg-Stravaganza Easter egg hunt on Saturday at Sugar King Park.
After the Easter egg hunt, which started at 9 a.m., the children and their parents proceeded to the NMI Museum grounds to receive prizes, awards and free decorated Easter goody bags.
They also took photos with the Rotary Easter bunny mascot, and enjoyed the three bouncy castles and face painting/body tattoos.
Various food and non-food items were also available for free or for sale.
“Thank you so much to all members of the community who helped us,” Rotary Club of Saipan President Ivan Ilmov said as he also expressed gratitude to Saipan Mayor David Apatang, the NMI Museum and all the sponsors who provided giveaways for children.
He reiterated the Rotary Club’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club, he added, has been on island for 53 years. “We are islanders. Together, we make our community strong. Thank you so much for coming and let’s do this next year again,” Ilmov said.
Rotary Club of Saipan Community Service Director Joann Aquino said there was a bigger number of participants compared to last year’s egg hunt when many Covid-19 restrictions were still in effect.
They expected to see about 500 children show up but there were a lot more egg hunters this year.
“I was happy with the outcome. I was really concerned about the weather forecast, but we were blessed with clear blue skies and the sun,” Aquino said.
“I want to continue this Easter event as an annual signature event for the Rotary Club of Saipan and hope to continue the private-public partnerships with everyone,” she added.
She reiterated her gratitude to the Office of the Governor, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the NMI Museum and its staff, Rotaract, Interact, Northern Marianas College and all the volunteers who came to support the event.
Great confidence
Rotary Club of Saipan President-elect Wendell Posadas said the event was very successful and the turnout was bigger.
“Maybe it’s because the Covid-19 cases are already slowing down,” he added.
NMI Museum Director Danny Aquino said he was very grateful to all the parents and children who joined the event.
He also thanked the sponsors, the Rotary Club of Saipan, the Rotaract, and the Interact.
The good turnout, he added, “is like a preview of what we are going to do in May or the first week of June. We are going to hold Fiesta Friday nights.”
The director likewise thanked Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, and his Covid-19 Task Force for easing up the restrictions.
The success of the event “is a testament that for activities like this, we can come together.”
First lady Diann Torres said with the island’s high vaccination and booster rates, “I’m pretty comfortable to bring my kids. I feel safe, it’s breezy out here, it’s the outdoors and looks like a lot of people are having a good time.”
Rep. Corina Magofna said she, too, was “very confident as a parent — I believe most of our population have been vaccinated. At some point we are going to have to get used to it and just live life normally, and just be very cautious — do what we need to do to protect ourselves.”
Emerson Claveria, a parent, said, “It is happier this year compared to last year when Covid-19 was at its height.”
He noted the children “really enjoyed this year’s egg hunt and other activities.”
“I am confident and I hope things will continue to get better,” he added.
Partners, sponsors
Rotary Club of Saipan Community Service Director Joann Aquino reiterated that the success of this year’s egg hunt wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the following:
• Partners — Rotaract Club, Interact Club, Office of the Governor/Gov. Ralph Torres, Saipan Mayor’s Office/Mayor David M. Apatang, NMI Museum-Danny Aquino and Staff, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs-Division of Youth Affairs, Tyler’s Gelatte Stone-Benji Babauta.
• Sponsors: Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Micronesian Air Cargo Services LLC, Bridge Capital, LLC, WESTCO-Western Sales Trading Company, DM Sablan Holdings- Youth Empowerment Solutions and Ininan I Marianas, Wushin Corp., Dickerson & Quinn, Micronesian Brokers, McDonald’s Saipan, Tang’s Corp., Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, TK Corp., Lollipops Inc., National Office Supply, Monster Pizza, Ete Café, Miss Earth Organization, Islas Creations, Cia’s Creations, Thrift with Tee, Bonita Basula, NMI Artistry, Paopao, Pho King A, Mix n’ Macs, Seasoned with Hafa Adai, Mind2Muscle, Marianas Inflatables, Chic with Carm, Candle J Saipan, Crafty Baeker, Cherrymoon.co, Neni Girl Nails, Island Hop, Lynn’s BBQ, Dommy’s, Chowtime, Rendezvous, Chiku Chiku, Baban Bishu, Marvin Deleon Guerrero, RJR Band, Mr. & Mrs. Sean Ficke, Art Man Linda Torres, Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Vice Speaker BJ Attao, House Floor Leader Ralph Yumul, Reps. Vicente Camacho, Corina Magofna, Denita Yangetmai Joseph Flores, Leepan Guerrero, Angel Demapan, Roy C. Ada, Ed Propst, Celina Babauta, John Paul Sablan, Richard Lizama, Leila Staffler and Sheila Babauta.
Children rush to pick up Easter eggs during the Rotary Club of Saipan’s Community Egg-Stravaganza Easter egg hunt at Sugar King Park in Garapan on Saturday.
Children pick up Easter eggs during the Rotary Club of Saipan’s Community Egg-Stravaganza Easter egg hunt at Sugar King Park in Garapan on Saturday.
Emerson Claveria with wife Maureen, center, and their children Margaret and Madison, and nieces Eukey and Kylie.
Johana Elizabeth Sarabia, right, and her best friend Emmjie Escano, left, and Escano’s brother Benjie, center, pose with the Saipan Rotary Club Easter mascot.
Children and their parents visit the booths at the NMI Museum grounds after the Easter egg hunt at Sugar King Park.
