MLSC Completes Back-To-School Project SY 2012-2013

The Marianas Office of Micronesian Legal Services Corporation once again conducted its annual Back-To-School Project. Office staff donated money and new school supplies and organized a drive among other legal providers in their annual effort to give needy kids a chance to start school with the items they need to succeed. “We believe that kids will be more enthusiastic about learning if they have the tools they need,” said Jane Mack, the Directing Attorney at the Marianas Office.

Some of the book bags with supplies, ready for distribution.



More backpack, ready to go.

  Many other attorneys and members of the legal community share the desire to help children prepare for their educational experience. “An education is vitally important in being successful in the future,” attorney William Satterberg said. This year, in addition to MLSC staff, donations were given by Richard W. Pierce, William Satterberg, Rexford Kosack, Loren Sutton, Braddock Huesman, Thomas Clifford, Marsha Schultz, Kathryn Delafield, Eileen Escudero, Heather Kennedy, Vicente Salas, Adam Hardwicke, Jennifer Dockter and Suzanne Steffey.




Supplies include a binder, filler paper, folder, notebook, composition book, pencil case with pens, pencils, erasers, sharpener, and then age appropriate add-ons like crayons and rulers.




We included a bottle of water and hand-sanitizer with nearly all bags distributed this year.

 As a result of the generous support, MLSC distributed 76 backpacks with a wide range of supplies in them, and 8 small kits of basic school items. Children were selected as recipients from MLSC client families, referrals by Karidat and other community organizations, and self-referrals (phone inquiries). The donated supplies will help at least some students be prepared as they return to the classroom for SY 12-13.



MLSC paralegal Maria Muna hands out a book bag with supplies to a happy first-grader.




Students showing off their new backpacks.



Another Donation

MLSC received a donation of $85,000 from the Garment Trust Fund.


What could have been a very happy event was turned bittersweet by the "on-going protests of garment factory workers who wanted to share in the trust fund.

MLSC had nothing to say about who the recipients of the trust would be.

We applied because there was a general call to non-profit organizations who might want to be included and have a share of funds that were not distributed. Because we have in the past and will continue to provide legal assistance in civil cases to people in the community without discrimination, including those who were garment workers, we thought we would be a good candidate for sharing in the funds. The trustee agreed and recommended a donation to us. The U.S. District Court reviewed the application and recommendation and approved the disbursement of the donation to us (along with other charities, who received varying amounts).

It is sad to see that some very poor people have not been granted any of the funds, despite their work in the garment industry, despite their need and the arguable merit of their requests.

We have already had some of these people come to our office and intimate that we should turn over some of our contribution to them. Whether we sympathize or not, we do not give money or direct financial aid to anyone. We are not a social services agency.

We will continue to provide legal help to applicants to the best of our ability. We will use the donation to that end.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks to the Saipan LauLau Development, Inc., d/b/a LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, who has given us a $20,000 donation for the Marianas Office.




Maria Muna (MLSC Paralegal), Jane Mack (Marianas Directing Attorney), Omar Calimbas (MLSC Staff Attorney), Yun (Alex) Kim (President and CFO, Saipan LauLau Development, Inc.), Lucia Blanco-Maratita (MLSC Board of Directors member), Mary Lou Ada (Human Resources Manager, Saipan LauLau Development, Inc.), Dimitri Varmazis (MLSC Staff Attorney)

We are very grateful.

We wish everyone a happy and joyous holiday season.