PRESS RELEASE – Troy Crisosotomo Aguon, Exec. Dir. of The Learn CHamoru Project, Inc. and founder of Guåm™Gear, a local active apparel clothing label will be hosting over 26 “virtual” events to address the overlooked non- profit industry since the COVID-19 outbreak.
“All the annual 5K events scheduled for this month and the next few months have been either canceled or postponed due to the unfortunate COVID-19 outbreak. I’ve been listening to the news online, the radio, and the T.V., so far there has been no mention of the financial toll it will have on all the benefactors which is why these events are held for in the first place. They are all fundraising events, over 60 annually” says Aguon.
Troy is no stranger to developing first to market products and or services. He is best know for creating the first job posting website in Las Vegas back in 1999 during the dot com boom. Upon returning home after been away for 13 years, he immediately created Guam’s first and only CHamoru Language DVD for Kids. Shortly after the DVD release, he then created the first CHamoru language mobile game app that was ranked Top 100 most downloaded app out of over 1 million other apps on the Google Play Store in less than 1 month upon publishing it live.
“Although these virtual events are my idea to benefit our organization, I feel compelled to share these virtual events with every and all non-profit organization, charities, school club, churches, and sports teams to assist them during these challenging times with their fundraising efforts. I am calling upon all the board members and community stakeholders to put our minds together to be creative and do what we can with the tools and resources we have available to keep our organizations above water so that we can continue our missions and to serve the community with a genuine spirit of Inafa’maolek”.
Aguon currently has 26 themed “VIRTUAL” events and 4 “LIVE” events scheduled for 2020. One of the events has already expressed excitement and interest from numerous fellow non-profit leaders, Gov. Guam management, local restaurant owners, UOG professors, and gym owners is the Virtual Guam Marathon. All these virtual events are designed in a way that participants from any where in the world can Run/Walk/Hike/Bike/Swim/Wheel or Treadmill. These events offer different CHallenges that target various off-island locations such as:
California to Guam = 5,974 mi | China to Guam = 2,950 mi | CNMI to Guam = 136 mi FSM to Guam = 500 mi | Hawaii to Guam = 3,950 mi | Japan to Guam = 1,623 Korea to Guam = 1,877 mi | Las Vegas to Guam = 6,215 mi | Philippines to Guam = 1,548 mi Washington to Guam = 5,734 mi
HOW IT WORKS: Whatever the total distance {In miles} from Guam to that location is the CHallenge. The goal is to “collectively” reach the total number of miles for each location. There will be an open and closed registration schedule. Each virtual CHallenge will have a unique Guåm™Gear T-shirt, and finisher medal design.
ENGAGING WITH PARTICIPANTS + KEEPING TRACK OF THEIR PROGRESS: We will be giving away daily, weekly, and monthly raffle prizes such as gift certificates, Guåm™Gear apparel, and cold hard cash to participants who share their progress with us online by reporting their time, location and photos where they are located.
2 WAY TO REGISTER AND PAY: 1. Online with credit card at Guam5K.com or VirtualGuamMarathon.com. 2. Pre-Paid Guam 5K card available at any Pay-Less Supermarket Customer Service Counter.
BENEFACTORS: This project is to benefit any non-profit organization, charity, school club, church, or sports team who rely on their fundraising activities to pay for their general daily operations to fulfill their mission.
“It is our hope that these Virtual events will not only raise the much needed funds for Guam’s non-profit organizations/charities and bring in new money from off-Island participants, it will distract the community from the current COVID-19 situation. It also encourages the community to stay healthy thru active movement and in a safe location” says Troy.
WANT TO EARN EXTRA MONEY? Aguon is looking to build a team of individuals interested in making some extra money especially during all these layoffs and cut hours the community is going thru due to the global shutdown. “There are only 3 minimum requirements to join our team” Aguon says. “1. You must enjoy, have fun, and feel blissful at all times. 2. You must be truthful at all times 3. You must genuinely possess the spirit of Inafa’maolek”.
If this best describes you and if you are ready to help make a positive change in your community and to help those in need, we are excited to welcome you to our “Inafa’maolek Tribe”.
Aguon is offering a 30% commission to anyone who successfully refers their family and friends to register locally or anywhere in the world. Tracking these referrals are done online to ensure a genuine transaction is completed as well as an accurate compensation is given to each Tribe Member.
Troy has successfully gain the support and commitment from a growing list of leaders in the non-profit industry, small business owners, and many locals living overseas.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this great venture. The students in the Entrepreneurship Course at UOG have been actively working on a project called Gatcha’ Goals that focuses on health and fitness. This venture complements the core focus of the project. We are very excited to collaborate with Troy and his Inafa’maolek Tribe to help grow this new venture.” Charlie Hermosa, Adjunct Professor, University of Guam
“Ministry to the Homeless, Depends solely on the Kindness and Generosity of the people. ” A man’s true wealth is the goodness he does in the world, if you can’t feed a hundred, at least feed one”. Thank you Troy and the Inafa’maolek Tribe for your support to this important Ministry which feeds the needy 365 days a year”. Doris C. Royal Program Manager for Ministry To The Homeless
“Our mission is to bring health and wellness to people of all ages and backgrounds. Steel Athletics is proud to be a part of Guam5k.com to pool our resources and reach more people. We believe that together we can make a difference in our island community by leading from the front”. JJ “Superman” Ambrose, Owner of Steel Athletics.
“Heart is excited to team up with Guam5K.com. We hope that through our outreach efforts and integrating the CHamoru language into our daily activities and educational programs we can build a better future for our island. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. Sterling Ulch President of H.E.A.R.T. Guam [Happily Ever After Rescue Team].
“Ohala’ Adoptions is thrilled to be partnering with Guam5K.com to host fun runs held both on island and virtually for friends all over the world. Join the fun & be a part of realizing our mission to ensure that adoption is a safe, loving, and a positive option here on Guam. It is in the true spirit of Inafa’maolek that we recognize the importance of contributing in meaningful ways in our community. As we unify our efforts, our whole island benefits”. Kelley Larsen, Ohala’ Adoptions
(AP/Carlos Osorio)
