Marianas Health Services administrator George Cruz said they still have to pick up more toys from their partner stores and deliver them to Karidat.
“With more toys to pick up, I guess we have exceeded our target of collecting a thousand toys for kids,” Cruz said.
He said he was overwhelmed by the “tremendous response” from the community.
“Last Friday, we conducted a waving activity and toy drop off drive in Garapan and the community just flooded us with donations. I am very happy because it just goes to show that we have a community that cares for families who can’t afford to buy toys for their kids this Christmas,” Cruz said.
Karidat will distribute the toys to children 12 years and under on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
Karidat executive director Angie Deleon Guerrero said they will distribute the toys based on their list of low-income families on the three islands.
She described the toy drive as a “big blessing,” adding that Karidat’s former partner in the annual Christmas toy drive is no longer in business.
Cruz said community members who wish to donate more toys can deliver them to the Karidat office in Chalan Kanoa.
On behalf of Marianas Health Services, Cruz extends his gratitude to other partners who dedicated their time and efforts to the toy drive: Tan Holdings, Lollipops, the Rotary Club of Saipan, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the Marianas Variety and IT&E.
For more information, contact Marianas Health Services at 233-4646 or Karidat at 234-5248.
