Events & Activities

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Salem, Oregon - On Saturday, December 4, 2021, the Marshallese American Network for  Interacting Together (MANIT) held their Official Inaugural Ceremony at the Salem Convention  Center. High-level Government Representatives made statements from the Marshall Islands,  including Oregon's local and state representatives. All the speakers touched on the importance of  getting the vaccine to stay safe from the new variant and possibly future variants. 

MANIT also hosted a six-hour vaccination event with the help of the Oregon Health Authority  (OHA), Hi-School Pharmacy, Childhood Health Associates of Salem, and the Oregon PeaceWorks. Nearly 200 people from the Marshallese population and other ethnic groups in the capital  city got their COVID-19 vaccines, booster shots, and pediatric shots. Salem's Mayor Chuck  Bennet received his booster shot at the event. MANIT will hold another vaccination event on December 18, 2021, at the Family Worship and Prayer Center (4762 Portland Rd. NE Salem, OR  97305). 

Tigard, Oregon - On Saturday, November 20, 2021, the Marshallese American Network for Interacting Together (or MANIT; the acronym means ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’ in Marshallese) in association with the Marshallese Women’s Education and Health Network (MWEHN), conducted a vaccine event at the Church of the Latter-Day Saints located on 11065 SW North Dakota St. in Tigard, Oregon. Sixty-four adults received the vaccine or booster shots, eight children received pediatric doses, and twenty-nine people received flu shots. Safeway vaccinator Nisse Peng was kept busy all day administering the vaccinations. Thank you, Nisse! Ana Hernandez-Garcia from the self-sufficiency Office in Tigard, Oregon, was at the event to provide information about available programs. Oregon Health Authority’s Michael Yu attended the event, and received his booster. Clanny Glanry (FlavahC), a popular Marshallese artist, performed music. Komol tata (Thank you!) to Meilly Lakjohn and to Bishop Ken Chesler for helping MANIT host a successful event.

La Grande, Oregon - On Saturday, November 13, 2021, the Marshallese American Network for Interacting Together (MANIT) collaborated with the Micronesian Islander Community (MIC) to conduct a public vaccine event in La Grande, Oregon. Many people from the community received COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and flu shots. Clanny “FlavahC” Glanry, a popular Marshallese singer, provided entertainment at the event. The pastor of the Lighthouse Church, which many Marshallese people in La Grande attend, received his first vaccine dose. This was the first event at which vaccines were available to Marshallese children ages 5 to 12. It was also the first time that members of the Marshallese community have used the Community Connections venue (Komol tata Union County Manager Audrey Smith for making this possible!). The following organizations and individuals were present at the event: Northeast Oregon Network (NEON), the Regional Outreach Coordinator for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the OHA Regional COVID-19 Testing Coordinator and his team. A follow-up event at which people can receive their second dose and booster is being planned for December 11, 2021. Thank you to everyone for coming out to support this event, and for protecting yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated!

Tigard, Oregon - On Saturday, October 23, 2021, the Marshallese American Network for Interacting Together (MANIT) and Marshallese Women’s Education and Health Network (MWEHN) conducted a COVID-19 vaccine event. It was the first time that the Moderna Booster was available to everyone. The event had a good turnout despite the rain and cold weather. For those that received their first vaccine shot, the follow-up event will be on November 20, 2021, also in Tigard. Boosters for Moderna and Pfizer will also be available.