Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Release # 396-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES WINTER WONDERLAND EVENT
FOR FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES ON SEPTEMBER 11th

Three Day Holiday Event Will Open on Sunday

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today invited families of those who lost loved ones on September 11th to a Winter Wonderland event at the Family Assistance Center. The Winter Wonderland will take place on Sunday, December 16th from 12pm to 6 pm, Monday, December 17th from 9 am to 8pm and Tuesday, December 18th from 9 am to 8 pm. The Winter Wonderland, which will take place at the Family Assistance Center located at Pier 94, 12th Avenue at 54th Street, will feature booths filled with a variety of unwrapped gifts and toys for families to choose from.

"This holiday season is likely to be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones on September 11th," Mayor Giuliani said. "The Family Assistance Center is hosting the Winter Wonderland event in the hopes of trying to ease the stress of holidays, and in particular, the stress of holiday shopping. Families will have an opportunity to shop at no cost for toys and gifts for their children in a comfortable and private environment."

All of the gifts that have been donated locally, nationally and internationally to the City of New York for the families of the World Trade Center victims, will be available for the families to make selections in a private and familiar environment while supplies last. Holiday entertainment will be on hand for the children who visit the Winter Wonderland.

Families interested in visiting the Winter Wonderland event are asked to RSVP to the Family Assistance Center at 646-710-6245, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Individuals, corporations, and organizations interested in donating unwrapped, new gifts and toys for children of all ages are asked to deliver them to the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94 on Thursday, December 13th or Friday, December 14th between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Interested donors can call 212-788-7418 for more information.



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