WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. January 13, 2004: Mayor Joseph Delfino, responding to a grass roots effort initiated by the youngsters served by the White Plains Youth Bureau announced today a joint effort with the American Red Cross to provide an official vehicle for White Plains citizens to contribute to Red Cross efforts to provide relief for the regions and the persons effected by the Tsuanami disaster two weeks ago.

Look for the TSUNAMI RELIEF Canister at White Plains Downtown Participating Businesses. Sal at the Splendid Diner with a White Plains Youth Bureau Collection Canister. Put your change in the buckets you encounter around town for the next three weeks and you'll be directly aiding Tsunami Victims through the White Plains American Red Cross. Photo by WPCNR News.

Children from the Youth Bureau have designed collection canisters that they have placed in 50 White Plains downtown businesses through the auspices of the Downtown Bid Improvement District, according to Rick Amiratto, Executive Director of the BID. The canisters will be on display at checkouts through January 31.

Mayor Delfino, The Youth Bureau and the Red Cross Resonding to Tragedy. Left to right, Andrea Grimaldi, Director Community Volunteer Services, Robert Lanseth, Sr., Chief Executive Officer, Mayor Delfino, and Fenton Soliz, Volunteer with the American Red Cross in Westchester County. Photo by WPCNR News

White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino stated, “The scale of destruction brought on by this tsunami is mind boggling.  It is all of our civic duty to do what we can to help these people who have lost so much.”  Mayor Delfino added:  “And the younger that our students here are when they are exposed to the concepts of civic responsibility and community service, the better.  Promoting civic responsibility in our youth, in addition to helping the tsunami victims, is the point of this initiative.  Creating these types of opportunities for the young people of the City of White Plains is what the Youth Bureau does for thousands of children and young adults daily.  I am positive that the lessons learned from this initiative will stay with them as they journey through life.”

 The children will also present a benefit concert of their talents at the White Plains Performing Arts Center 4 P.M., January 30, to raise money for the victims. Details on tickets and how you can contribute to the benefit concert are to be announced. The White Plains Performing Arts Center, Frank Williams, said is making the theatre available for a nominal cost of approximately $100.

Robert Lenseth, Senior Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County said $37,000 have been collected from Westchester County so far. He said the money is being used by the Red Cross to purchase supplies and services to aid the victims. The Mayor coordinated the program with the BID after Youth Bureau children had suggested the effort to Director of the Youth Bureau, Frank Williams. The City and the BID will oversee collection of the program and turn the proceeds over, ever penny to the Red Cross.