The Manager of Cost U Less, Marvin Raps says tofa tonight, and heads to Barbados in the Caribbean Islands to take up a GM position at Cost U Less there.
Since arriving in American Samoa in January 2020 with his son, Raps has immersed himself in the community giving his service wherever he saw a need.
“People of American Samoa are the most caring, respectful, loving people,” he says. “I have made so many friends that I now consider family. I was welcomed here with open arms from the Cost U less team and locals.”
Raps was one of the drivers of the Cost U Less/Hope House Initiative to provide support for the home of the aged and children with severe disabilities.
He reached out to business partners and garnered their support to make a monthly donation for Hope House to be deposited at CUL. This resulted in a monthly credit of between $1,300 to $1,800 per month that was available for Hope House to use for food supplies for elderly meals, diapers, or wipes for personal care and supplemental nutrition supplies, such as Boost or Ensure.
Marvin Raps with Rotarians Cherish Lober Soliai & Faafua Cummings/Rotary Club
Other companies which were involved in the initiative were Harbor Maratime, Tropical Beverage, Samoa Ford, Napa, ANZ Bank, Moanaosina, and the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.
In recognition of his good works for Hope House, on Monday, Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao presented Mr. Raps an Appreciation Award. Bishop Kolio and the Hope House Board Chairman Rep. Larry Sanitoa expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to him for leading the initiative and also thanking those who willingly participated monthly for this charitable cause.
Another project Raps is very proud of is the K9 donation support which supplied food and other pet products for the Animal Clinic. “We must take care of the fur babies,” he said.
He also started the Give Light initiative, which paid for utilities for needy families during COVID-19. The effort raised $80,000 and was supported by Rotaract and ASG.
Raps contributed to many other community causes as an active and willing member of the Rotary Club of Pago Pago.
He leaves American Samoa to be GM at a Cost U Less store in Barbados, a thriving tourist mecca.
His replacement, Andrew Schuweiler will be arriving August 7th from British Virgin Islands. Bon voyage Marvin. We will miss you!
