By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
HANMI Hardware owner Yonghua Zheng donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross–Northern Mariana Islands Chapter on Friday to support Typhoon Sinlaku recovery efforts.
Speaking through an interpreter, Zheng said he was happy to contribute and wanted to do his part to help the community. He added that he hopes the donation will support the organization’s ongoing relief operations and assist those most in need.
The donation was received by ARC–NMI disaster program manager Juan Diego “JD” Tenorio, along with board members Joshua Wise, Jean Sablan, and Sinj Lee.
“We’re just always thankful to have community partners helping out in times of need and in blue skies,” Wise said. “But now is definitely a time of need, so anytime someone makes a contribution, it goes a long way.”
Wise said the donation from HANMI Hardware will go directly toward assisting individuals and families affected by Typhoon Sinlaku.
The Red Cross has launched individual financial assistance for households that sustained significant storm damage as part of its recovery program.
“If you or someone you know needs help, come down and check us out,” Wise said. “If you qualify, then we can get that taken care of.”
Individuals and families who experienced storm-related damage have until June 1 to apply for financial assistance.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
