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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 021-10
January 15, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG RECORDS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENCOURAGE DONATIONS TO SUPPORT HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

311 Calls Directed to Mayor’s Fund Have Raised Over $325,000 for Earthquake Victims

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that that a new public service announcement will encourage donations to earthquake relief efforts. He also announced that through 311 calls directed to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, donations of over $325,000 from over 1,400 donors have been accepted. The amount of money raised grows by the hour and does not include donations being sent by mail. The Mayor’s Fund is directing 100 percent of these donations to emergency relief organizations directly serving victims of the Haiti earthquake, including the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. Donations to the Mayor’s Fund have come in from all five boroughs and from as far away as Tokyo.

 “The outpouring of support from New Yorkers has been incredible,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “New Yorkers have big hearts, and we have all been deeply affected by the tragedy in Haiti. New York has a strong connection to Haiti and it is understandable that many New Yorkers want to support the victims. Cash donations are preferred over goods, I encourage New Yorkers to call 311 and make a donation today.”

On the Mayor’s weekly radio show earlier today, he and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced that City employees will be able to set aside part of their paychecks to directly aid the Haitian disaster relief efforts. In the employee pay period that begins this Sunday morning, January 17, employees will have the option to direct funds to Haiti relief efforts through the Mayor’s Fund.

Contributions may be sent by mail to: Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, One Centre Street, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10007 (note: Haiti Relief) or online at www.nyc.gov/fund or by calling 311.  When outside New York City, you can call 311 by dialing (212) NEW-YORK.

The Mayor’s Fund will be accepting calls throughout the weekend and during the Monday holiday. The Mayor’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations to the Fund are tax deductible.  

Public Service Announcement Script

“This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg. The terrible suffering in Haiti touches all our hearts. 

And we’re all asking:  How can I help? The answer:  Donate money now. 

“Call 311, or, if you’re outside the five boroughs, 212 NEW-YORK. Or donate by going to the City’s web site: nyc.gov/fund. We’ll make sure 100 percent of your contribution gets where it will do the most good, right away.

“To those who’ve given already:  Thank you.  And to our Haitian-American neighbors, we say:  Nou ave'w.  We are with you.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Jason Post   (212) 788-2958




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