MAYOR MIKE SPANO LAUNCHES 8th ANNUAL YONKERS “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE

YONKERS, NY – July 31, 2019 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the launch of the City’s annual “Backpack to School” school supply donation drive. The 8th Annual Donation Drive provides backpacks and school supplies to Yonkers Public School students most in need.  Items donated will be provided to the students of Paideia School 24. Any remaining items will be available to students while supplies last.

“Back to school supplies can be a financial burden for working families, especially for families  who have more than one child in school,” said Mayor Spano. “I encourage our community to join our Backpack to School Drive and lend a helping hand to those students most in need.”

“It is important for children to begin a new school year with a positive outlook,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada.  “Having a new backpack and supplies bolsters a young child’s confidence and optimism as they enter the next phase of their educational journey.  Our families do the best they can to provide new materials; for so many this can be challenging.  The Mayor’s annual drive eases the financial burden for our families, and more importantly, energizes the entire community to support quality education and Yonkers’ children.”

Beginning today, backpacks and school supply donations may be made at Backpack to School drop-off locations, including:

Yonkers City Hall-40 South Broadway

Robert W. Cacace Justice Center-100 South Broadway

Government Building-87 Nepperhan Avenue

Yonkers Riverfront Library-1 Larkin Center

Grinton I. Will Library-1500 Central Park Avenue

Crestwood Library-16 Thompson Street

Ridge Hill (Guest Services)-73 Market Street

All four Police Precincts

  • PCT 1-730 E. Grassy Sprain Road
  • PCT 2-441 Central Park Avenue
  • PCT 3-435 Riverdale Avenue
  • PCT 4-53 Shonnard Place

Suggested supply packages for donation include new backpacks filled with the following school supplies:

  • Crayons
  • Colored pencils
  • Washable markers
  • Glue sticks or Elmer’s glue
  • Rulers
  • Pink erasers
  • #2 pencils
  • Pencil Sharpeners
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Composition Books
  • Pencil pouches
  • Pocket folders
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tissue Packets

 According to the National Retail Federation, the national average spent on back to school supplies is $29.5 Billion.  Parent spend hundreds of dollars on back to school items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics totaling to more than $600 per child.

The Backpack to School Drive will run through August 22nd. For more information about the program, please contact the City of Yonkers Public Information Office at 914-377-6300 or visit www.yonkersny.gov/backpack.

City of Yonkers, Yonkers Native Pat Quinn and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts to Host 2019 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Saturday, August 3

General Public Invited to Support Pat Quinn in His Quest to Find a Cure for ALS in

Largest Simultaneous Ice Bucket Challenge; All Ages Welcome

(Yonkers, NY) – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts President & COO Uri Clinton and Yonkers Native Pat Quinn announced today the 2019 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will take place on Saturday, August 3 trackside at Empire City Casino. The annual event, co-founded by Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013, became a global phenomenon in 2014 as thousands of people from around the world participated in the challenge on social media. Since 2015, Empire City Casino has hosted the annual challenge in support of Quinn and to continue to generate awareness for ALS research. The festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. with food concessions available for purchase, music, and much more. Ice Bucket Challenge participants can pre-register in-advance online at www.YonkersNY.gov or www.empirecitycasino.com .

ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. With no known cure, Quinn began the Ice Bucket Challenge to put ALS on ice by raising awareness as well as donations for research. The challenge has remained a catalyst of the efforts to find a cure for ALS, with Quinn helping inspire billions of dollars in donations for ALS research, which has helped produce significant discoveries and breakthroughs.

Empire City Casino is proud to continue supporting Yonkers-native Pat Quinn in his courageous fight and to be part of the worldwide phenomenon he helped create as co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Uri Clinton, Empire City Casino President & Chief Operating Officer. “We are incredibly humbled to be part of a community that always shows up to support each other. We can all do our part to raise awareness of the need for more funds for ALS research. We’ll see you trackside August 3rd.

Each year, Empire City Casino donates the space, set-up and staffing, as well as over 1,300 pounds of ice.

Pat Quinn’s fight and determination to combat this horrible disease has been so inspirational and we are proud to join him in that effort,” said Mayor Spano. “Pat and his organization, Quinn For The Win, have courageously and selflessly turned his battle with ALS into one of the most successful social media fundraising movements this world has ever seen. We encourage any and all to join us on August 3rd for a great day of family fun at Empire City Casino.”

Pat Quinn commented, “I’m so grateful for the continued support from Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and the entire City of Yonkers. I’m extremely proud to know Quinn For The Win and Yonkers continue to fight ALS together. We live by the mantra Every August Until A Cure. This is the fifth time the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been held at the casino. Let’s make it the biggest and best yet to show everyone the fight against ALS is stronger than ever! Please join me August 3rd at Empire City Casino to kick off the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in Yonkers.

A recent report from RTI, an independent research firm, showed that donations from when the Ice Bucket Challenge first began in 2014 helped the ALS Association increase its annual funding for research worldwide by 187 percent. A recent Oregon State University study showed a copper compound can help slow the progression of ALS after recent testing in mice. Just a few short years ago, researchers discovered a new gene associated with ALS that may hold the key to one day finding a cure. Additionally, new technology is allowing individuals affected by ALS, like Pat, to regain their voice.

ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Approximately 20,000 Americans currently suffer from the disease.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Quinn for the Win which benefits Pat Quinn’s care as well as not-for-profit ALS research organizations. For more information, go to YonkersNY.gov, Quinn4theWin and Facebook.com/QuinnForTheWin.

Assets: http://bit.ly/ALSIBC2019

 

 

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Halston

The Irishman

MAYOR SPANO ANNOUNCES “YONKERS PARKS DAY” IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PARKS & RECREATION MONTH

“Yonkers Parks Day” Set for Saturday, July 13, at Four Neighborhood City Parks

YONKERS, NY – June 27, 2019 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the City of Yonkers will celebrate Yonkers Parks Day in honor of National Parks and Recreation Month on Saturday, July 13th from 1 PM to 5 PM, at four of Yonkers’ City parks.

“Our parks are the cornerstones of our City and the fabric our neighborhoods and communities,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “By paying tribute to our parks during National Parks & Recreation Month helps to encourage our residents to visit these four local parks and enjoy great music, games and the company of their neighbors.”

Yonkers Parks Day will be held at the following locations:

  • Lennon Park –  Lake & Park Avenue
  • Annette Vizzini Park – Mile Square Road & Little John Place
  • Lincoln Park – South Broadway & McLean Avenue
  • Stilwell Park – 1018 McLean Avenue

Each of the four parks will include arts and crafts, music, sports activities, along with so much more, FREE of cost for all Yonkers residents.

For further information regarding the day’s festivities, contact the City of Yonkers Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department offices at 914-377-6450.