Heavenly Divine Aldan Pangelinan
2024 Miss Earth Northern Marianas Heavenly Divine Aldan Pangelinan is calling on island residents and businesses to donate gifts and gift-wrapping supplies for children and young adults.
Specifically, she is requesting new or gently used toys in good condition, age-appropriate gifts for young adults, gift-wrapping materials or monetary contributions to purchase gifts and supplies.
The gifts will be distributed through the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, the Center for Living Independently and the Division of Youth Services.
Interested donors can contact (670) 788-2700 to arrange for pickup. The last day to donate toys or gift wrapping is Dec. 22.
Back in the CNMI
Seeking donations for holiday gifts is Pangelinan’s first community project since she returned to the CNMI after competing in the Miss Earth pageant in Manila in November.
She hopes to “promote sustainability while still giving back to the community.”
“The message I have to the community this holiday season is that you can give amazing gifts while still being sustainable!” Pangelinan said.
“Reusing and shopping secondhand is just as great as new, and reduces waste. If we could normalize thrifting and shopping pre-loved, we would ultimately help our island reduce the need to extract resources and conserve our energy,” she added.
