Salvation Army to open cooling station

The Salvation Army on Saipan is preparing to launch a cooling station today, May 27, for residents still struggling with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with CNMI Salvation Army leader and pastor Wayne Gillespie clarifying that the initiative is not another food donation drive.

The cooling station will operate from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Saturday.

Gillespie said confusion began circulating online after flyers and announcements about the event started spreading in the community.

“This is not a food distribution,” Gillespie said. “This is a cooling station for the community.”

He explained that the Salvation Army wants residents—especially families still without stable power—to have a safe place where they can cool down, rest, charge devices, and access basic relief support during the continuing recovery from Sinlaku.

Gillespie emphasized that the organization wanted to manage expectations ahead of the May 27 opening to avoid overcrowding or disappointment from residents expecting relief goods.

“We just want people to understand what this is really for,” he said.

The pastor also used the opportunity to thank the many businesses, civic groups, churches, and volunteers that partnered with the Salvation Army’s food distribution events during the height of post-Sinlaku relief efforts.

“We really appreciate all the sponsors and everybody that stepped up after Sinlaku,” Gillespie said. “A lot of people came together to help this island.”

Among those he specifically thanked were attorney William “Bill” Satterberg, Coca-Cola Beverages Micronesia Inc., Micronesian Brokers CNMI Inc., and Salvation Army major John Bennett.

Gillespie said Satterberg, who occasionally practices law in the CNMI, “was instrumental in funding our mass feeding program.” He also thanked Coca-Cola CNMI for donating cold drinks and assisting with the feeding operations, while Micronesian Brokers donated milk on two separate occasions.

The Salvation Army pastor also acknowledged “some anonymous donors who don't want us to mention their name.”

Gillespie said the cooling station does not yet have a set end date.

“Don’t have a termination date yet,” he said.

He noted that while emergency food operations have largely transitioned to other community-based and government-supported recovery efforts, many residents are still dealing with prolonged power and utility challenges.