It seems only recently, but a decade has passed.

I saw once the following words in a book:

"Not every one is able to do every thing great"

I am also reminded of a Japanese proverb entreating us "to light up a nook."

The ability of man is limited;; it will be beyond my power to light up the whole of a realm where I am placed, but I wish to be such a man as his presence will make those surrounding him happy however small his area in the realm may be.

I sincerely hope that the club members of Saipan R.C. will be a group of such individuals, increasing in number and continuing as a happy, serving club.

On April 11, 1968, Supertyphoon Jean hit Saipan with the intensity of center winds in excess of 200 miles per hour, devastating the island and leaving 90 to 95 percent of the island homes destroyed. This was a great challenge for the two month old Club and its 32 members. The Club immediately swung into action and President Dave appointed Rotarian Glenn Brown, the Deputy Director of Peace Corps/Micronesia, to head up Project Asisti.

Above 5,240 appeal letters went out throughout the world asking for assistance. Most of the letters went to Rotary clubs throughout the world. About $12,000 in cash and in material gifts were received within three months after the drive was undertaken. The Hilo Rotary Club sent about 1500 pounds of clothing by military airplane. Most of the clothing was for women and children. South Tokyo Club responded with monetary assistance of Y100,000; Guam Rotary Club donated $1,320; British Overseas Airways Corporation donated $500. In addition, hundreds of friends of Rotary, both here and abroad, gave not only money but also badly needed materials for survival of residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. It is interesting to note that Saipan's First Governor, Carlos Camacho, who was in Rota at the time, actively helped the Saipan Club in extending its Project Asisti to Rota. At the time, Camacho was a medical officer stationed there.

In connection with the Project Asiste, the Saipan Rotary Club ordered and recently received two cement mixers to start on their project of building cement houses to the people needing the most help in building. Rotarians above are (left to right) Chairman Glenn Brown, Elias Okamura, Joe Tenorio and George Perdew.
The mixers will be used in pouring foundations and making blocks.

Approximately 50 families from Saipan, Tinian and Rota received help from Project Asisti. The Rotary Club also purchased two portable cement mixers and loan them out to families, without charge, needing assistance to rebuild their homes.

In 1969, the Rotary Club continued its community projects. The sum of $5,028.97 was donated to the Summer Day Camp where several hundred children participated throughout the summer in week long sessions learning various skills such as swimming, the making of Saipan Rotary Club recognized Mr. Jose S. Sablan, naming him Man of the Year for his contribution of working unselfishly with the children of Saipan at the Summer Day Camp.

In February 1970, the Saipan Club was invited to a banquet reception in rendering assistance to the community through the various service avenues established by Rotary. These services, while briefly outlined in these pages, took weeks and countless hours of hard work services and projects were, the construction of the toilet facilities at the public beach in Oleai: funding the training of two policemen who investigation; and sponsoring the 1975 Liberation Day festivities in Saipan. The festivities were highlighted by the visit of the USS RAMSEY with 256 men aboard, plus an ROTC unit from Father Duenas High School in Guam, who had come to participate in the which $11,814.14 was realized from the Las Vegas Night. After all bills were paid, including awards for the Queen candidates, the Club realized a net of $8,213.89.

The Saipan Club was honored by Saipan being selected as the site for the 1975 Group II Forum which was held in February 1975. The Occasion was highlighted by the official visit of Governor Senju Sato and Past President Yuasa of Rotary International.