Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Sunny Mindel, OEM (212) 442-2031
Michael Regan, NYFD (212) 999-2056
Flanked by Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and Director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, Jerome Hauer, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today appealed to New Yorkers and members of the business community to donate critically needed supplies to assist the victims of Hurricane Georges. The Hurricane cut through the Caribbean last night and devastated Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"I'm calling on compassionate and generous New Yorkers to help those in trouble in the Caribbean with financial donations as well as contributions of bottled water and canned, non-perishable foods," Mayor Giuliani said. " This assistance will go a long way in easing the difficult recovery from the Hurricane which decimated the area and claimed at least 5 lives," the Mayor added.
He went on to urge New Yorkers wishing to help in the relief efforts to bring bottled water and non-perishable foods to local firehouses which have been designated as official drop-off points. Those wishing to make financial contributions can do so by sending checks made to "Hurricane Relief, Ref. Account 790-070650 " to any branch of Banco Popular. The Hispanic Federation is coordinating the fund-raising effort and has provided a line for information, 212-742-0707. The American Red Cross also established a special telephone hotline, 1-800-HELP-NOW, for people who would like to donate goods for the relief effort.
Information and updates on the relief efforts as well as the damage caused by Hurricane Georges can be obtained through the hotline set-up by Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. The number to call is (888)212-6982.
Also, Mayor Giuliani announces deployment of search and rescue team to aid in Puerto Rican Hurricane Recovery Effort