Additional NY Businesses to Join Holiday Give Drive

Verizon, Delta Airlines and Others Contribute to Help Families in Flood Affected Regions

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that additional businesses have signed on to the Governor's holiday giving drive. Verizon, Delta Air Lines, Time Warner Cable, and The Garden of Dreams Foundation have each pledged to contribute to the giving drive that will benefit families in communities hit hard by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

"New Yorkers have always been the first to reach out a helping hand and I thank Verizon, Delta Air Lines, Time Warner Cable, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation for their generosity," Governor Cuomo said.

"This giving drive is designed to bring holiday cheer and much needed supplies to families and individuals in communities hit hard by the late-summer storms."

The giving drive is part of the Governor's "NYGives" campaign, a statewide effort to encourage charitable giving and generosity throughout the holiday season.

"NYGives" connects businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and those seeking to give with organizations that directly serve New Yorkers most in need. The campaign will continue through the end of 2011.

Time Warner Cable is participating through an upstate food drive, internally at employee sites and through designated collection stations at their payment centers. The food drive will last through the New Year in Albany, Central New York, and Western New York areas of operation.

"Time Warner Cable is pleased to join Governor Cuomo's holiday giving drive to provide food and supplies generously donated by our employees to those who suffered during the storms of the past year. The holiday season is a time for giving and helping others, and we are proud to be part of this campaign," said Terence Rafferty, Northeast Regional Vice President of Operations for Time Warner Cable.

Delta Air Lines is participating through an internal collection drive for employees, with multiple collection sites at LaGuardia and JFK Airports. They will be collecting clothing, toys, non-perishable food items and household items.

Gail Grimmett, Senior Vice President for New York, Delta Air Lines, added, "We thank Governor Cuomo for spearheading this effort that will bring holiday happiness and needed goods to communities that were affected by the floods. We at Delta Air Lines are delighted to support this holiday giving drive, and we look forward to continuing to help out in the future."

The Garden of Dreams Foundation, in partnership with the New York Rangers, MSG Entertainment and generous fans will be donating 100 toys and 150 coats.

"The Garden of Dreams Foundation is dedicated to using the resources of Madison Square Garden to brighten the lives of children who need it most. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership on this effort and are proud to be involved in such an important program," stated Kristine Burton, Vice President, Community Relations, Madison Square Garden and The Garden of Dreams Foundation.

Verizon has donated $100,000 to the United Way of New York for flood relief efforts.

James Gerace, President of Verizon's New York Region, said "Verizon is proud to be a part of the statewide initiative launched by Governor Cuomo to provide critical assistance to New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. By standing together this holiday season, we can help rebuild these communities and make sure families who have experienced hardships over the past months can enjoy the blessings of the season."

"Verizon’s very generous contribution represents the highest standard of philanthropy for New York’s business community, and we are very proud to have them as our partners. Verizon’s contribution will help meet the essential needs of families who were affected by the storms" said Susan Hager, President of United Way of New York State.

"We are grateful to over 600 other donors who have contributed to the Fund, but more help is needed in order to meet the long-term recovery needs of the families in these communities. Governor Cuomo’s leadership has set an example for how to make the sometimes complicated machinery of state government come to the aid of its citizens quickly, when that help is most needed. His dedication and commitment to this recovery is making a significant difference."

The Governor invites businesses and individuals to donate toys and other supplies to be distributed among families in communities hard hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Businesses and organizations already participating in the holiday giving drive include Jetro/Restaurant Depot, which has committed to increase its food bank food donations by 25%, from $200,000 to $250,000; General Mills, which has pledged to donate 15,000 boxes of Big G cereals to the Food Bank of Western New York in Buffalo, and a total of 3,000 cans of Progresso soup to be divided between the Food Bank for Westchester and the Food Bank for New York City; and the Toy Industry Association, which has pledged to donate more than 500 toys.

New Yorkers can help by bringing in unwrapped toys or supplies to Office of General Services (OGS) offices across the state, or mailing to OGS Mail Room, Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza P1, Dock J, Albany, New York 12242. OGS will arrange for these items to be distributed through charitable organizations.

In addition, people may donate to the United Way of New York State, or other charitable organizations that benefit the flood regions, and volunteering or bringing supplies to local food pantries (a list can be found at: http://www.foodbankassocnys.org/find-food-bank.cfm).

For New Yorkers wishing to make a financial contribution to affected communities, donation of funds can be directed to charitable organizations that support flood relief efforts, such as the United Way of New York. Contributions may be made by sending a check to the Hurricane Irene Recovery Fund c/o United Way of New York State, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York 12110-2424.

You can also visit www.uwnys.org and click on the link on the home page to make a secure donation via credit card. All contributions to the United Way of New York will receive an acknowledgement. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to flood victims, and no administrative costs are taken out.