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Rotary Club of Pago Pago Delivers 15 Hospital Beds to Hope House
- Joey Cummings
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Rotary Club of Pago Pago presented 15 modern hospital beds to Hope House on Saturday, June 27, capping a community fundraising effort that asked local families and businesses to each sponsor a bed for $1,000.
Hope House, operated by the Catholic Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago, has served the infirm, disabled, and elderly in American Samoa without regard to faith since 1987. Hope House Director Salaia Tuileta said the facility currently cares for 27 residents, a sharp increase over the past year, making the new beds especially welcome.
The presentation ceremony was held in the Hope House atrium, where residents gather daily for fresh air and activities. About 60 people attended, including Hope House staff, residents and caregivers, and representatives of the 15 donor families and businesses who funded the beds. Each bed carries a plaque recognizing its donor:
1. Malaeimi Mart
2. Skyview Inc. / Ricky & Faletaū Nomura and children
3. YSJ Limited
4. Shiu & Premila Dutt
5. Tutuila Store Inc.
6. Worldwide Tours & Travel Inc.
7. Dr. George and Barbara Schuster & Family
8. Leinani Mae Tafiti and Jax Ioane Tafiti
9. In memory of Lefaga Soliai Beaver
10. Island Cargo Support
11. In memory of Talilua Litia Kupa
12. Aeto Fale Weilenman
13. Island Flowers by Liana
14. In memory of Lefaga Soliai Beaver
15. In memory of Roy J.D. Hall Sr. and Toaiva Ofoia Hall
Hope House Board Chairman, Honorable Fagaima Larry Sanitoa, welcomed the Rotarians and donors and officiated the ceremony. Rotary Club of Pago Pago President Raymond Dāvid formally presented the beds to Hope House administration and residents.
Roy J.D. Hall Jr., Chairman of the club's International Services Committee, identified Hope House's need and handled the funding, logistics, and coordination behind the project. At the ceremony, Hall read the names of all 15 donors and thanked them for their support. He also shared the history of the property, recalling a visit decades earlier with Otto Haleck and Cardinal Pio, when the land was still wild bush. Cardinal Pio had pointed out where everything would go: the garden, the senior living residence where the group now stood, the Cathedral, the Retreat Residency, and the Recreational Hall. Hall noted that the vision Cardinal Pio described that day stands in full today.
Father Jeudiel Galvo, representing Bishop Kolio, blessed the beds and those gathered with holy water.
In his remarks, President Dāvid spoke about the personal ties many Rotarians have to caregiving, recalling family members who worked in nursing and care. He pointed to Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self," as the guiding spirit behind the project, and thanked the donors and his wife, Florence, for supporting the important work. He closed by thanking Roy Hall and Jacqueline Hall for their work getting the beds sorted.
Salaia Tuileta closed the ceremony by leading Hope House residents in a traditional song of thanks. Sanitoa and Father Jeudiel also offered closing remarks, and President Dāvid responded with the club's appreciation for Hope House's hospitality and a promise of Rotary's continued commitment to the residents.
The Rotary Club of Pago Pago has served American Samoa continuously since 1969. If you'd like to support our next community project or find out about membership, reach out to any Rotarian or contact us here.
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