Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Modell's also donated one of the World's Largest Yankee Shirts for auction to City Harvest, which collects excess food from restaurants and delivers it to 200 food programs in the City.
Joining the Mayor at today's presentation were Michael Modell, Co-President of Modell's Sporting Goods, Amy Benederet, of American Express, Karen Aiden, of Share Our Strength, and Bev Chevron, of City Harvest.
"The New York Yankees' World Series victory was a triumph for all New Yorkers, but in particular for hungry people across the City," Mayor Giuliani said. "As excitement over the Yankees grew, Modell's and American Express gave fans a positive and rewarding way to show their support. I would like to thank Modell's Sporting Goods and American Express for all they have done to fight hunger in New York."
Modell's Sporting Goods and American Express, two of New York City's leading corporate citizens, helped to rally fans behind the New York Yankees by preparing the world's largest Yankee shirt, more than 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Fans were invited to sign the shirt, with American Express and Modell's donating five cents per signature to Share Our Strength. On September 26, 1996, Mayor Giuliani became the first Yankee fan to sign the jersey.
After the Yankees won the American League Championship, Modell's and American Express doubled their commitment to 10 cents per signature. More than 130,000 fans signed a total of six giant shirts.