IN celebration of Tan Holdings’ 50th anniversary, its philanthropic arm, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, donated $5,000 to the NMI Swimming Federation during the Tan Holdings 50th Anniversary Ocean Swim event at the Guma Sakman on Saturday.
Present for the donation were NMI Swimming Federation board member Val Welch, Tan Holdings CEO and president Jerry Tan, NMISF board member Ed Johnson, NMISF vice president John Hirsh, Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan general manager Robert Coates, Tan Holdings VP corporate/HR Catherine Attao-Toves, and Tan Holdings comptroller Judy Mendieta.
“I want to thank all the swimmers, parents and volunteers that participated in the wonderful event sponsored by Tan Holdings,” Hirsh said.
“We can’t thank Tan Holdings and Jerry Tan enough, not only for their financial support but for their backing here this morning. It means an incredible amount to us,” Hirsh added.
“These last four years have been very difficult for NMI swimming — we lost our pool in 2018 but there has been an incredible model of perseverance from the parents, coaches, clubs and most importantly the swimmers — keep swimming!”
Tan, for his part, said: “As you know, this [swim event] is part of our company’s 50th anniversary celebration. It has been a long journey, but we’re still here and we look forward to the next 50 years.”
Tan also noted the hardship that the NMI’s swimming community faced in the last four years.
“We are always constantly reviewing what we can do as far as the [lack of a] swimming pool is concerned,” he said. “Open ocean is just as good, but I think we need to have both. I love sports and that is why I get involved in it.”
NMI Swimming Federation board member Val Welch, Tan Holdings CEO and president Jerry Tan, NMISF board member Ed Johnson, NMISF vice president John Hirsh, Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan general manager Robert Coates, Tan Holdings VP corporate/HR Catherine Attao-Toves, and Tan Holdings comptroller Judy Mendieta pose with a ceremonial check for $5,000 during the awards ceremony of the Ocean Swim event at the Guma Sakman on Saturday.
