Philippines-Based Megachurch Rallies in Times Square for Superstorm Sandy Relief

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In the devastating wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) hosted an International Aid for Humanity event in New York City on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121121/NY17621 )

The Philippines-based church's charitable arm, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, made a total donation of $150,000 to the New York City Police Foundation, the FDNY Foundation, Bellevue Hospital Center and Coney Island Hospital – all of which were adversely affected by the huge storm.

The event was attended by noted local and international dignitaries and an estimated 3,000 volunteers from the Church. The volunteers also handed out "goodwill bags" containing survival essentials to the homeless and others in need.

"We chose to host Tuesday's event in Times Square, one of the most visible places in the world, in hopes that it would help boost morale, give people hope, and remind everyone of the importance of helping their fellow man – which is something that is fundamental to our faith," explained Dr. Sergie P. Santos, III, spokesman for the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.

The International Aid for Humanity event on Nov. 20 was attended by the following dignitaries:

• Office of the Mayor – Commissioner Fatima Shama and Maria Cruz Lee, Department of Immigrant Affairs
• New York City Police Foundation – Susan Birnbaum, President; Gregg Roberts, Executive Director; Judith Dynia, Program Director
• FDNY Foundation – Jean O'Shay, President; Susan Wipper, Director
• New York Health and Hospitals Corporation – Joe Schick and Tamiru Mammo
• Philippine Mission to the United Nations – Ambassador Libran Cabactulan
• Philippine Consulate General in New York – Ambassador Mario DeLeon; Theresa Dizon-deVega, Deputy Consul General; Felipe Carino, Consul
• New York Neighborhood Coalition for the Homeless – Prema Mennon

"It's important to note that this event has been part of our ongoing efforts and we will continue and even expand our outreach work in areas affected by the storm throughout the New York metropolitan region," added Dr. Santos.

Prior to this event, the Church has conducted six different relief missions throughout New York and New Jersey during the past 10 days. In doing so, it has assisted more than 10,000 local residents in neighborhoods ravaged by the storm.

Those interested in volunteering to participate in future relief efforts should visit the Iglesia ni Cristo Web site for more information: incmedia.org.

About Iglesia ni Cristo:

The Iglesia ni Cristo (Tagalog for Church of Christ) is a Christian religious organization registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914. The Church has since grown into thousands of congregations in more than 100 countries across six continents. It is the largest religious organization originating from the Philippines, and the largest independent Christian Church in Asia. The Church's North American headquarters is in Burlingame, CA, overseeing its more than 200 congregations throughout the United States. Twelve of those congregations are located in New York and New Jersey, including five in the New York metropolitan area. Its charitable arm, registered as a non-profit in the United States and several other countries, is the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc.

SOURCE Iglesia ni Cristo