The manamko’ were treated with lunch and entertainment, according to Walter Manglona, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ program coordinator.
The event was held at the Office of Aging activity center.
Gil Ah Kim Yoon, the association’s president for this year, said their annual activity with the manamko’ is made possible by the donations from the Korean business community.
Yoon will be succeeded as their group’s president by Chil Lye Lee this year.
Sam Kim, one of its members, said the association has been on Saipan for 21 years and is a consistent supporter of the manamko’.
“Your continued support and contributions to the manamko’ reminds us how fortunate we are to have such good friends,” Office of the Aging Director Howard I. Macaranas said. “We highly recognize you for all the years of support and commitment that you have given to our senior citizens.”
Kim said they were able to collect donations from department stores, groceries, garment factories and other Korean businesses and groups.
This time, the Korean Women’s Association didn’t perform a dance number but instead distributed special gifts to the elderly — decorative candles, clothes and candies.
“I want to see every one of them next year,” Kim, in his short message, as she noticed the declining number of the male manamko’. “It worries me when I don’t see some of those I met the previous year.”
