FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release # 004-00
Wednesday, January 5, 2000
| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced a donation by the New York Yankees to the Venezuelan relief effort. The Yankees presented the Venezuelan Consulate with a $100,000 check as a contribution to the Venezuelan Emergency Relief Fund. The Venezuelan Consulate has reported that last December's seven days of torrential rains claimed the lives of more than a thousand people and left 400,000 other homeless.
Joining the Mayor were: Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra; Consul General of Venezuela Pedro Segundo Conde-Regardiz; New York Yankees Vice President of Baseball Operations Mark Newman; New York Yankees Vice President of International & Professional Scouting Gordon Blakeley; New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman; President of the Hispanic Federation, Lorraine Cortés Vásquez; and and members of the Hispanic Society/NYPD.
"Once again, the New York Yankees have demonstrated that they are the World Champions," the Mayor said. "This time they have done so, not with the amazing skill, discipline and drive that have made them one of the best baseball teams in history, but with a generous heart, always attentive when human need arises.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the New York Yankees for their generous support of the Venezuelan relief effort. No amount of money will ever replace the precious lives lost in this terrible tragedy, but financial assistance is key to start rebuilding the homes, schools and hospitals that thousands of survivors so desperately need. This contribution from the Yankees will definitely make a difference for our South American neighbors," the Mayor concluded.
New York Yankees' Mark Newman said, "It is an ongoing characteristic of the Yankee Organization to have a presence in the Latin American community. There is a caring and concern that reaches far beyond the sport of baseball. During this difficult time in Venezuela, we feel it is important to be a part of this relief effort."
Deputy Mayor Segarra said, "The New York Yankees stand out as one of New York's finest institutions and represent the best of what our City has to offer to people all over the world. It is with deep appreciation that we accept their generous gift and acknowledge the wonderful role that they continue to play in our lives."
The Yankees' $100,000 check was payable to "Ayuda al Pueblo Venezolano," (Aid to the Venezuelan People), a bank account number at Banco Popular opened by the Hispanic Federation to assist the Venezuelan disaster victims.
The Hispanic Federation, in collaboration with the City of New York, is also sponsoring a concert on January 6, 2000 from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Hostos Community College in The Bronx, (149th Street and Grand Concourse), to aid the people of Venezuela. For further information on the concert, visit the Hispanic Federation's website at: www.hispanicfederation.org.
