SAIPAN, MP – The Chinese Association of Saipan has announced that they have raised checks and cash totaling $50,215.61 for the victims of the May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China.
 
 “We appreciate the efforts of the Saipan Chinese community and the rest of the island in the generosity of all persons in responding to this disaster in China ," Jerry Tan, Chinese Association of Saipan President and President of Tan Holdings, said today.
 
Local fundraising efforts began immediately upon the news of the 7.9 earthquake that devastated the south-central Chinese region on May 12, 2008 and the community quickly joined together in raising these funds.
 
On Monday, June 2, the Association sent a letter to Ambassador/Consul Hou of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, California expressing their generosity and concern with a total of $50,215.61. The letter went on to say how unfortunate the events in Sichuan are, and how the community of Saipan is continuously monitoring the progress of rescue and relief efforts.
 
The Chinese Association of Saipan is joined by the millions of other Chinese persons living abroad in raising funds to help their fellow countrymen in this time of need.
 
Official figures state that 69,122 are confirmed dead, including 68,509 in Sichuan province, and 373,606 injured, with 17,991 listed as missing.  The earthquake left about 4.8 million people homeless,  though the number could be as high as 11 million.  It is the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed at least 240,000 people. Approximately 15 million people lived in the affected area.
 
The Chinese Association of Saipan, CNMI was founded in 1987 and includes 100 active members.
 
Tan Holdings employees throughout Guam and Saipan were also successful in raising $8,858.94 for Sichuan Earthquake Relief over the period of 3 weeks, and on May 19th, Luen Thai, sister company of Tan Holdings, gave $2,000 to the Chinese Consul in Los Angeles to benefit the quake victims.