The Yankees' donation will be split between the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army and will go directly to the support and assistance of all the community-based organizations along the Gulf Coast, especially in Louisiana and Texas.
"We are confident that both the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are positioned to get the funds to those in need," said Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner.
"Natural disasters like these have an effect on the entire nation, and it is up to everyone to join together and do their part to help rebuild and revitalize the affected communities. We hope that our efforts will help spur on more action and support to the cause."
In previous relief efforts for Hurricane Ike, Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane, the Astros in Action Foundation, and Astros players and staff will be making a $1 million donation to benefit the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Major League Baseball has also committed to aid in the relief efforts by donating $500,000 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. MLB plans to conduct a variety of activities asking fans to support the relief effort.
Hurricane Ike, labeled as a Category 2 but only one mph short of qualifying for a Category 3, slammed into Galveston, Texas, and made its way up to Houston, home to nearly four million residents. It also ravaged, and in some cases, completely wiped away, countless small cities along the Gulf Coast.
Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte was among those affected. The hurler traveled home from Anaheim during the club's Sept. 11 off-day to help his family shore up their Deer Park, Texas residence for the emerging storm, boarding windows as his parents and wife's family camped to wait out the worst of it.
The $1 million contribution to the hurricane relief fund is another example of the Yankees' continuing commitment to charitable contributions.
The Yankees broke from their Spring Training schedule this year to play a March 18 exhibition at Virginia Tech University, following up on owner George M. Steinbrenner's $1 million contribution to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in the wake of the April 16, 2007, shootings on campus that killed 32, plus the gunman.
That organization was created to cover grief counseling, memorials and other costs for victims and families. Helping in the healing process, the Yankees' entire starting lineup flew up that morning from Tampa and returned the same day in what third baseman Alex Rodriguez called "probably the proudest day I've ever [had] to wear a Yankees uniform."
Also this year, the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Commission and the City Council voted unanimously to recommend changing the name of the Yankees' Spring Training facility from Legends Field to George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The stadium renaming was approved in February by two unanimous resolutions from the Hillsborough County Commission and the Tampa City Council, endorsing the honoring of Steinbrenner for his many charitable donations on behalf of youth activities, hospitals and the arts.
Among Steinbrenner's most recognizable contributions was the founding of The Gold Shield Foundation, which ensures that the families of police officers and firemen killed in the line of duty receive early financial assistance and are guaranteed a tuition-free college education.
The resolutions recognized that Steinbrenner has stepped forward at critical times to help influence and improve the local community, and an official unveiling was held on March 27 with Steinbrenner in attendance.
With a street already named after Steinbrenner in Tampa, the area also plans to adorn an educational facility with the name of baseball's longest-tenured owner. George M. Steinbrenner High School will open its doors in 2009 in Hillsborough County, north of Tampa.
No comments:
Post a Comment