Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro and leaders of South Asian community announce ‘Pakistani Earthquake Relief Fund Committee’
Borough President James P. Molinaro and leaders of the Island’s Pakistani and Indian communities yesterday announced the formation of the “Pakistani Earthquake Relief Fund Committee” to aid victims of Saturday’s massive earthquake in Pakistan.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those affected by the disaster in Pakistan,” said Molinaro, “and I would ask Staten Islanders to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers.”
On Tuesday, Molinaro called a meeting with the leaders of the Island’s Pakistani and Indian communities to organize the Pakistani Earthquake Relief Fund Committee, which will raise funds to send needed supplies to the devastated region.
“Staten Island’s Pakistani and Indian communities were there for us after 9/11, they stepped up in a big way for Hurricane Katrina relief, and now it’s our turn to help them in this time of desperate need,” Molinaro said.
The Committee said a priority was to send tents to the victims who were left homeless by the earthquake before the hard winter months set in.
“A $100 donation will take care of one family for an entire month,” Molinaro noted. “It will pay for a survival kit consisting of a tent, food, blankets, water and medicine. I encourage all Staten Islanders to work together with our South Asian community to aid in this disaster relief effort.”
Tax-deductible donations can be made by sending a check with the notation “Pakistani Earthquake Relief Fund” payable to either of the following organizations:
> Muslim Majlis of Staten Island
104 Rhine Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10304
718-442-6674
> The Pakistani Civic Association of Staten Island, Inc.
3996 Richmond Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10312
718-948-7000
Contributions to either organization can also be mailed to the Borough President’s Office, 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York 10301. Molinaro announced that he will try to get matching funds for the relief effort from the Borough’s banking institutions.
The Pakistani Civic Association is holding a fundraiser for earthquake victims on October 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Bellavita Restaurant, 1919 Hylan Boulevard, Dongan Hills.
The Masjid-al-Noor mosque is also holding a fundraiser on October 21st at 6 p.m. in the mosque at 104 Rhine Avenue in Concord.
October 12, 2005