McDONALD’S Saipan, which has been supporting youth programs for over 20 years now, on Tuesday donated $3,000 to the annual Public School System/McDonald’s All School Track & Field Championships.
McDonald’s annual donation has helped Northern Marianas Athletics and PSS prepare for an event that involves a large number of students, volunteers and equipment.
Receiving the donation, NMA president Ray Tebuteb said, “On behalf of NMA, a special gratitude and thank you to McDonald’s and PSS for partnering with us for a very long time. We could not have done a lot of these things without the help of our sponsors.”
He noted that athletics events require a lot of volunteers and assistance. “So there’s really no other words to express our gratitude than ‘thank you so much,’ ” he added.
Joining NMA in organizing the all school track & field events is Public School System athletic director Nick Gross who is also grateful “for the never-ending support of McDonald’s.”
He added, “We are just really excited to be able to continue the tradition of the PSS/McDonald’s All School championships. Having a partner like McDonald’s ensures that we can do this year after year and allows us to show some growth and continue to find the fastest and longest jumpers and the furthest throwers in the CNMI.”
Gross said the donated funds will be used to, among other things, provide water to 20-40 volunteers, and finance the purchase of 400 individual medals.
“The idea is to give the students more exposure to these activities and to what true health and wellness looks like,” he added. “By sweating, smiling, having fun, and…having to run the 400m run.”
McDonald’s of Saipan owner/operator Marcia Ayuyu said the donation “is really for the children of the CNMI. We are very happy that we can continue to do this and we look forward to do more in the future. We also want to thank all the organizers and schools because all their hard work benefits the children.”
Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong, left, and president Ray Tebuteb, right, pose with Public School System athletic director Nick Gross, second from left, and McDonald’s of Saipan owner/operator Marcia Ayuyu while she holds a ceremonial check for $3,000 donation at the McDonald’s main office.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
