MEDIA ALERT: Press Conference to Announce National Museum of Mexican Art and Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Relief Fund for Victims of Natural Disasters in Mexico and Puerto Rico

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) and the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) announced today that they have created a relief fund for individuals and interested parties to provide financial assistance to people affected by yesterday's earthquake in Mexico and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. An account with Wintrust Bank has been set up for donations; the funds will be disbursed via Mexico Red Cross and Puerto Rico Red Cross.

Leaders from NMMA and PRAA, business and community leaders will gather on September 21 at 10:00 AM at the National Museum of Mexican Art for a press conference to announce the launch of the fund.

"Donors and concerned individuals have been urgently calling to ask us how they can help," said Carlos Cardenas, Chair of the National Museum of Mexican Art's Board of Trustees. "People called our respective institutions asking us to lead a relief effort. Money raised through the Chicago for Mexico & Puerto Rico Relief Fund will go to Mexico Red Cross and Puerto Rico Red Cross.

"The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the National Museum of Mexican Art have come together to assist our brothers and sisters in Mexico and Puerto Rico. We are one community and there are no cultural boundaries," said Juan Mendez, Chairman, Board of Directors, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.

What: Press conference to announce Chicago for Mexico & Puerto Rico Relief Fund to benefit earthquake and hurricane victims and relief organizations in Mexico and Puerto Rico

When: Thursday, September 21, 2017, 10:00 AM / open interview time following press conference

Where: National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19^th St. Chicago

Who:

• Juan Mendez, Chairman, Board of Directors, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
• Carlos Hernandez, Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
• Carlos Cardenas, Chair, Board of Trustees, National Museum of Mexican Art; Managing Director, Wintrust Bank
• Carlos Tortolero, President, National Museum of Mexican Art

Donations will be accepted by check at Wintrust's Pilsen branch located at 1800 S. Blue Island, Chicago IL 60608 or online at www.NationalMuseumofMexicanArt.org/relief.  Checks should be made out to National Museum of Mexican Art with Chicago for Mexico & Puerto Rico Relief Fund identified on the memo line.

Your coverage is welcomed and encouraged.

About the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance is dedicated to fostering community pride through culture and arts education. PRAA's programs serve primarily low-income youth and their families, using the arts as a vehicle to increase cross-cultural and inter-generational understanding. high-quality, one-of-a-kind arts experiences and arts education programs to 20,000 participants each year. PRAA operates three community centers in Chicago and also partners with Chicago Public Schools and organizations across the Midwest to offer after school classes and events on-site. To learn more, please call 773-342-8865 or visit www.praachicago.org.

About the National Museum of Mexican Art
Located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, the National Museum of Mexican Art showcases 3,000 years of creativity from both sides of the Mexican border. Works from the Museum's Permanent Collection of more than 10,000 pieces are exhibited in bilingual galleries in this, the first nationally accredited Latino Museum in the U.S. and the only one dedicated to Mexican art and culture. Admission is always free. The Museum is open Tues – Sun from 10 am to 5 pm. To learn more, please call 312-738-1503 or visit www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

SOURCE National Museum of Mexican Art

Related Links

http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org