John Flaherty To Serve As Emcee At Thirteenth Annual Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation Dinner

NEW YORK, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, a scholarship program that to date has raised more than $4.6 million to provide college scholarships to 158 children of firefighters and victims of the September 11 attacks and other fires and disasters, today announced that John Flaherty, formerly a catcher for the New York Yankees and currently a Yankees analyst on the YES Network, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the Foundation's 13^th annual dinner. The event is scheduled to occur on Monday, March 30, 2015 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.

The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation began in response to a terrible tragedy – the loss of Michael Lynch, a son, brother, fiancé, uncle and New York City firefighter who sacrificed his own life on September 11 in an effort to save others. Facing the ultimate loss, the Lynch family saw an opportunity to help finance the education of young people as a living tribute to the human spirit and the family's collective resolve to respond to adversity with courage, strength, compassion and hope. The goal of the Foundation is to provide the means to help change the world, one person at a time, by helping the students of today become tomorrow's stewards of peace and freedom. Billy Cunningham, former NBA player and coach, and Hunter Morin, President of GeMROI, are serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Foundation's thirteenth annual dinner.

Flaherty joined the YES team in the spring of 2006 as field reporter, studio analyst and game analyst for its Yankees telecasts. He earned New York Emmy Award nominations in 2010, 2011 and 2013 for his work at YES.

Drafted by Boston in 1988, Flaherty progressed within the Red Sox farm system before joining the parent club in 1992. He played 14 major league seasons with five teams (Red Sox 1992-93, Detroit Tigers 1994-96, San Diego Padres 1996-97, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998-02 and the Yankees 2003-05). He is best known to many Yankee fans for his 2004 pinch-hit walk-off single that ended a 13-inning regular season game against the Red Sox. Flaherty is a New York City native and a graduate of George Washington University.

"We are fortunate that John has agreed to serve as emcee for the upcoming Foundation Dinner," said Jonathan Henes, a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors. "John's dedication and passion for the sport of baseball reflects the values that the Foundation seeks to uphold. With Billy Cunningham and Hunter Morin serving as Honorary Chairs, and John serving as emcee, this year's annual dinner will be an amazing night in support of this very worthy cause."

Details about the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation and the Annual Dinner on March 30, 2015 are available online at www.mlynch.org.

SOURCE Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation