Harbor Day to Celebrate Families, Cultural Richness of East Harlem

Boys & Girls Harbor and Citi partner to bring resources to families

NEW YORK, June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Harbor is bringing back its annual community day celebration as part of a year-long plan to commemorate its milestone 75th Anniversary Year. Harbor Day 2012, held on 104th Street between Madison and 5th Avenues on Saturday, June 16, 2012, will feature a day of free outdoor activities, giveaways, access to community resources, and refreshments from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This community-wide event will be presented by the Harbor in collaboration with the event co-sponsor Citi, one of the Harbor's 75th Anniversary Partners. All Harlem families are invited.

As part of Citi's Global Community Day activities, and the company's 200th anniversary celebration, about 100 Citi employee volunteers will participate in Harbor Day. Citi will offer a special Harbor Day sign-up for attendees to attend a FREE in-depth financial management workshop in fall 2012. The Harbor held its annual Salute to Achievement on June 7, 2012, an event that honored Citi CEO Vikram Pandit for Citi's commitment to supporting programs that educate and inspire young people in New York City.

Once an annual event at the Harbor, Harbor Day is designed to celebrate the community, as well as the cultural diversity of East Harlem. The day's schedule includes dance performances by Harbor students, exercise classes, a games center, face painting, and more. A professional DJ will play a range of family-friendly musical styles, and several Harlem food vendors will offer cuisines representing the neighborhood's ethnic influences. The Harbor is also offering discount pricing for everyone who signs up for a Harbor program during the festivities, and the first 200 attendees will receive a colorful sports bag.

A number of high-profile organizations are participating. The Museum of the City of New York, working in partnership with the Harbor, will offer two complimentary guided tours of its latest exhibit, Capital of Capital, a history of New York's banks and the transformation of the city into a global financial center, sponsored by Citi. The tours will be led by the museum's chief curator Dr. Sarah Henry. Other confirmed participants include La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriquena, El Cafe, and All American Amusement.

Harbor Executive Director Thomas Howard, Ed.D., says that this historic year is the perfect time to bring back Harbor Day and provide a summertime event that will raise awareness about the organization.

"In the past, Harbor Day had been an event primarily for Harbor students and their families," said Howard. "This year, we are not only providing a day of games and activities, but also showing the community what the Harbor has to offer, in collaboration with our corporate partner Citi, and other neighboring organizations. Collaboration with our partners is key to growing our programs, and we appreciate Citi's significant contribution to this event, both financially and programmatically. Our goal is to enroll 75 new students in our Preschool and Afterschool Programs and in our Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Harbor Day serves as our way to thank our Harbor families for their support and attract new families to our organization." 

Contact: Chana Garcia
[email protected]
646.981.2724

SOURCE Boys & Girls Harbor