On Sept. 7 Gov. Felix P. Camacho coordinated a multi-relief effort for the victims of Hurricane Katrina on the southern Gulf coast. Agencies and individuals joining the effort included Lt. Governor Kaleo S. Moylan first lady Joann G. Camacho and Sen. Mike Cruz of the 28th Guam Legislature and chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services of the 28th Guam Legislature the American Red Cross Guam Chapter the Ayuda Foundation the military the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association Dr. Thomas Shieh the 28th Guam Legislature the KUAM CareForce the Korean Association of Guam the Chinese Merchants Association of Guam public and private schools the Filipino Community of Guam the Japan Club of Guam and executive branch agencies.
The relief effort on Guam was dubbed “Operation Sharing Hope”. Activities were planned throughout September to include curbside collections.
Camacho also answered a nationwide call for public information officers to assist disaster relief efforts and offered the services among others of Shawn Gumataotao executive assistant to the governor to the devastated states and Gerry Cruz public information officer at the Guam Public School System.
The governor also encouraged mayors to coordinate a door-to-door campaign and rally support within villages. The A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport also placed donation boxes in the departure area to solicit donations from tourists. All police precincts and fire stations also acted as a 24-hour designated donation drive-through.
On. Sept. 10 and 11 the Guam Girl Scouts held a cookie sale to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims at Cost-U-Less in Tamuning and in front of the Twinkles toy store in the Guam Premier Outlets.
On Sept. 8 KUAM TV8 initiated a pledge drive to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The “Donations for Disaster” drive was broadcast simultaneously on TV8 and TV11. The 30-minute telethon included news reports about the disaster and challenges from the community. All donations benefited the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Lt. Governor Kaleo S. Moylan on Sept. 7 announced a “Run for Relief” 5k run walk and wheel event to benefit hurricane victims. The run was set for Oct. 1 and was scheduled to start and end at the Adelup grounds. The first Run for Relief was held in February and benefited the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia.
The relief effort was a joint effort with Catholic Social Services. All proceeds raised were donated to Catholic Social Services which forwarded the money to Catholic Charities USA for hurricane victims.
Pres. Tommy Remengesau of Palau pledge $100 000 to aid hurricane victims. Spearheading the relief efforts were the Ministries of States and Finance senators Caleb Otto and Santy Asanuma delegates Kerai Mariur and William Ngirakelau.
In a press statement the Palau Red Cross Society said that it would sponsor a relief drive in front of Midtown Mobil Station in Koror.
On Sept. 12 a special board meeting of the Chinese Merchants Association of Guam presented a donation amount of $10 000 to the American Red Cross Guam Chapter. Members on hand for the presentation were Alfred Lam president of the association Anna Kao second vice president and Fong Wu secretary general. First Lady Joann Camacho and Chita A. Blaise of the American Red Cross Guam Chapter accepted the donation at a ceremony held at the association office at the Sunny Plaza in Tamuning.
The $10 000 donation was collected in less than 15 minutes from the members of the association when the initiative was announced by the officers at a board meeting held on Sept. 8.
The Korean Association of Guam donated $13 000 to Operation Sharing Hope. The Gadao Lion’s Club donated $2000 Dongbu Insurance Co. donated $1 000 and the First Presbyterian Korean Club donated $2 478. The check was presented to Gov. Felix P. Camacho from the association’s board members and the Korean consul general.
The Salvation Army also participated in accepting donations from Guamanians.
The Archdiocese of Hagåtña collected cash and check donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Ross shoppers were also encouraged to make donations at the cash register for the entire month of September.
Federated Department Stores said it would match donations at Macy’s up to $1 million from customers and associates. The donations were sent to the American Red Cross Relief Fund.
At every Guam McDonald’s Ronald McDonald House collection tins were designated to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The corporation said it would match all collections.
The Hilton Guam Resort & Spa 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament and with support from local companies and participants was able to raise $10 000 for the American Red Cross.
Pete A. Tenorio Northern Mariana Islands resident representative to the U.S. House of representatives collected $500 from his D.C. staff and donated it to the American Red Cross to go towards helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Tadao Ngotel former speaker of the Ngarchelong State Legislature awarded the Tadao Ngotel scholarship to Chatt Renguul. The $500 scholarship is given to a student of Ngarchelong citizenship a high school graduate who plans to enroll in college and maintained a 3.0 grade point average.
Soroptimist International of the Marianas donated $100 to Sanctuary on June 28 to help improve the lives of women and girls — the mission of Soroptimists. The presentation was held at Sam Choy’s Restaurant in Tumon.
Volunteers from the Guam Tropical Dive Station replaced the Guam Animals in Need’s bushcutter.
Budweiser and the Guam National Olympic Committee announced on August that the beer brand would extend its sponsorship of the Guam Olympic team.
Budweiser’s sponsorship allows the beer brand the exclusive use of Guam Olympic Team logos and trademarks for use in advertising point-of-sale materials and promotional activities. More than 30 National Olympic Committees are sponsored by Anheuser-Busch including the U.S. and China.
Budweiser is the official beer sponsor of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino. It is also the official international beer sponsor of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
On Sept. 24 and every weekend to follow until the end of 2005 the Agana Shopping Center and the Bookmobile Foundation of Guam will host a used book sale. All proceeds will go towards the Guam Library’s Bookmobile operating and improvement expenses. Participating schools include Academy of Our Lady of Guam Father Duenas Memorial School Notre Dame and Harvest Christian Academy.
Landscape Management Systems Inc. on Sept. 26 helped to place ornamental plants shrubs and trees along the Agat-Umatac road near the Cetti Bay overlook.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Committee initiated the beautification event and worked with LMS and the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division to determine the types of plants and trees that were suitable for planting in the area.
The Filipino Ladies Association of Guam donated $1 000 to the American Red Cross Relief Fund for victims of hurricane Katrina. Chita Blaise chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Guam Chapter accepted the donation on Sept. 5 at the Chuan Fu Restaurant in Tumon. MBJ
