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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2002
PR-078-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES VERIZON'S
$4.3 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AIDING
THOSE AFFECTED BY SEPTEMBER 11TH

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced today that the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is providing $4.3 million to the United Way of New York City's "Support New York" initiative, which aids those who continue to feel the effects of September 11th. The Mayor was joined by Group President for Verizon Paul Crotty, President of the United Way of New York City Ralph Dickerson Jr. and Deputy Mayor for Administration Patricia E. Harris. Donation recipient representatives at the announcement included Office of Emergency Management Commissioner John T. Odermatt, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Chair of the Conservancy for Historic Battery Park William Rudin, President and Co-Founder of Take the Field Richard Kahan, and Board Chairman for the After-School Corporation Herb Sturz.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am grateful to the Verizon Foundation for their support and assistance benefiting all those who have been affected by the events of September 11th," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This gift is a great example of the type of public/private partnerships that contribute to the renewal and enhancement of our City and we hope other good corporate citizen's will follow Verizon's lead."

"Since September 11th, Verizon employees have worked around the clock to restore vital telecommunications services to Lower Manhattan," said Mr. Crotty. "The contributions made by our employees, that were matched by the Verizon Foundation, is further demonstration of Verizon's commitment to rebuilding and strengthening New York. I greatly appreciate the United Way's leadership and creativity in ensuring our donation continues to address the aftermath of these attacks that are still being felt by people in Lower Manhattan and beyond."

After the attacks on September 11th, Verizon implemented a three-to-one matching gift program for employee donations to The September 11th Fund. The Fund was established by the United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust to provide disaster relief to victims and their families in the directly affected areas. Verizon's program generated $14 million in donations and pledges for the Fund, and by the end of the year two-thirds of the pledge had been fulfilled.

In January 2002, The September 11th Fund asked the public to stop sending donations, since current resources were appropriate to meet its goals and urging donors to redirect their contributions. The remaining one-third of Verizon's donation that was pending - $4.3 million - was then redirected with assistance from the United Way to the "Support New York" initiative. Verizon's $4.3 million grant will fund local nonprofit organizations that are addressing community needs and helping rebuild and revitalize New York, including:

The remaining money, totaling $300,000, will be distributed to community-based organizations in and around lower Manhattan that continue to respond to the needs of businesses and residents in lower Manhattan.

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler/Megan Sheekey
(212) 788-2958