Business consultant Patricia Songsong and Changhong Corp. owner Yong Lin, who donated two smart TVs, pose for a photo with Office on Aging Director Walter Manglona and some of the senior citizens at the manamko’ center.
CHANGHONG Corp., owned by Yong Lin, made the holiday season merrier and brighter for the manamko’ by donating two smart televisions to the Office on Aging on Dec. 21, 2023.
Lin said he made the donation “motivated by a deep sense of empathy for the manamko’,” after learning of the burglary that occurred at the manamko’ center on Nov. 6, 2023.
Lin and his business advisor Patricia Songsong handed the donation to Office on Aging Director Walter Manglona and some senior citizens at the center’s bingo hall.
“The inspiration for this heartfelt gesture came after Mr. Lin read about the unfortunate burglary incidents in [a] local newspaper, leaving the Aging Center in a difficult situation,” a media release from Changhong Corp. stated. “Changhong Corp. is dedicated to the well-being [of] our elderly residents, and Mr. Lin expresses sincere gratitude for the chance to make a positive impact in the Saipan community.”
In an interview with Variety, Manglona said the donation “means a lot, because a lot of our seniors commented that they’re happy and blessed that there are companies out there, people out there, that will not hesitate to help our seniors.”
Back in November, the manamko’ center was thrown into disarray after burglars forced their way inside the building to steal a laptop, a printer, two Bluetooth speakers, gift certificates from KFC, Taco Bell and Bali Fashion, a portable gas stove, batteries of all sizes, food stamps, and assorted candies.
“They targeted stuff that belonged to the seniors, including those that were used on a daily basis,” Manglona said.
He noted that Bluetooth speakers were used by the seniors for their morning exercises, karaoke or to play bingo.
As for Changhong Corp.’s donation, Manglona said the smart TVs will assist clients with disabilities.
“Some of them have a hard time hearing, so we’ll type [the bingo numbers] and project them on the big TV screens so the numbers could be more visible,” he said.
Manglona said he was told that DPS was still investigating the Nov. 6 burglary.
Regardless, he said he’s grateful that the community still thinks about the Office on Aging. Aside from Changhong, he said the manamko’ also received various donations from Bridge Capital, Saipan Computer Store, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and various CNMI legislators.
“On behalf of our seniors, I want to give a huge thank you to Patricia Songsong and Mr. Lin from Changhong for their timely holiday donation. We also want to give Bridge Capital, Saipan Computer Store, the governor, lt. governor, legislators and everyone who donated to the manamko’ a big thank you. If there’s someone I missed we’re going to cover you on our social media.”
