UNICEF Teams Up With National Sports Organizations, Teams and Players to Generate $2.9 Million for Haiti Emergency Relief and Recovery Efforts

NEW YORK, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF applauds national sports organizations, teams and players who have generated $2.9 million through fundraising initiatives to support Haiti emergency relief and recovery efforts.

Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and NBA Player's Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have provided generous donations to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to aid children and families with immediate and long–term necessities including food, water, shelter, protection and physical as well as mental health care.

"All of our sports partners are a part of a global movement to save children's lives," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Caryl Stern. "Not only are we grateful for the generosity, dedication and involvement within the sports community ranging from national sports organizations, local teams and individual players, but what's equally important to UNICEF is that these athletes serve as role models for America's children on behalf of the world's children."

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is grateful to its long-standing partners and new supporters, who have responded following the earthquake through a wide range of support including:

Major League Baseball (MLB), which donated $1 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and also showed sustained support through online auctions, fan outreach, web donations, and more.  MLB is dedicating substantial media inventory, both domestically and globally, to support this important cause. Additionally, 11 MLB Clubs have supported relief efforts by collecting and making donations towards UNICEF. MLB Network also simulcasted the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, which provided a $6 million grant to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Major League Soccer (MLS) and its clubs have engaged fans and raised awareness, conducted online auctions and directed web donations which have supported UNICEF's relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. 

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and NBA Player's Association jointly made a gift of $1 million. In addition, several NBA teams have supported UNICEF's work in Haiti through a range of sustained efforts including showing public service announcements at games, collecting donations, and social media outreach by players. Philadelphia 76ers Center Samuel Dalembert, heartbroken by the destruction to Haiti, his birthplace, donated $122,000 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF through his foundation.

In addition to the contributions already made from dozens of NCAA member institutions for Haiti relief efforts, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has also donated $300,000 in support of UNICEF's efforts in Haiti.  

The United States Tennis Association contributed $150,000 to support UNICEF's emergency response for children threatened by Haiti's devastating earthquake.  

UNICEF recognizes the critical role of sports and physical activity in children's lives. To date, UNICEF has distributed 150 school tents, 390 school-in-a-box and early childhood development kits and 410 recreation kits for 10 rural departments of Haiti. Regular physical activity can provide a cooperative and supportive environment to build resiliency and social cohesion. The process of helping children to restore their social, mental and psychological health during emergency situations is critical and vital.

For a complete list of the over 45 sports teams and organizations that have committed resources in support of UNICEF's Haiti relief efforts, please visit www.unicefusa.org/sportssupporthaiti.

To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti, please visit www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF