AMID the economic downturn caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, non-profit organization Miracle Hands opened this weekend to provide a helping hand.
Located in Gualo Rai, Miracle Hands aims to aid the most vulnerable members of the CNMI community.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang and other government officials cut the ceremonial ribbon during Miracle Hands’ soft opening on Saturday in Gualo Rai.
Saipan Mayor’s Office photo
Among its guests during Miracle Hands’ “soft opening” on Saturday were Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Rep. John Paul Sablan, Saipan Mayor David Apatang, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Bishop Ryan Jimenez and Saipan Community Church Pastor Stephen Dame.
“We have received [donations] from various sponsors since the inception of our charity,” said Miracle Hands board secretary Chandis Cooper, who is also one of its founders.
She said the organization was able to distribute donated bags of food on Saturday to over 200 families, thanks to several key sponsors.
Three pallets of frozen goods, boxes of chocolates and hydroponic lettuce, over $3,000 worth of bread, more than 800 pounds of rice, 100 t-shirts, 108 teddy bears, three boxes of Bibles and other contributions were provided by the Rotary Club of Saipan, I Love Saipan, Great Harvest, Wushin Company, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and the Saipan Natibu Lions Club.
The Office of the Mayor of Saipan donated a 20×40 canopy and Rep. John Paul Sablan donated three 10×20 canopies.
Mayor Apatang also provided manpower to clear an area for parking and distribution.
Terry ’N Bolis donated $200 worth of refreshments for the soft opening, while Local Taste Catering donated $150 worth of refreshments.
Other donors contributed monetarily, including Saipan Vegas Resort, which donated $500; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which not only donated $5,000, but also provided manpower to help with the soft opening; and Numbers Corporation, which donated $200.
Cooper said Miracle Hands set aside nearly 50 donated bags of food that will be delivered to community members who were unable to be physically present for the soft opening due to medical reasons or transportation issues.
Each person received canned meat, rice, and packs of ramen noodles, which Cooper said amounted to $3,000 in all.
She said funding for this particular distribution came from the $5,000 donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Miracle Hands chief executive officer and co-founder Dr. Rosalyn Ajoste, for her part, said all the money raised by Miracle Hands thrift shop goes right back to purchasing food for families in need.
Joining Cooper and Ajoste on the Miracle Hands board are board chair Diego M. Sablan, treasurer Elena Sutton, operations manager Renee Reyes-Torres, and board member Edward Terlaje.
