Tunnel to Towers Foundation Leading Relief Efforts for Those Devastated by Hurricane Sandy

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its mission to provide help to those most in need, The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is leading the charge in bringing aid to residents still reeling from the severe impact of Hurricane Sandy in devastated areas of New York and New Jersey.

The Foundation has established five New York-based relief centers in Staten Island, Breezy Point, Gerritsen Beach, Red Hook and Long Beach, Long Island. The relief stations are working around the clock and citizens are encouraged to volunteer at the centers as well as to make donations to the relief efforts. Donors have the opportunity to earmark funds to New York City, New Jersey, Staten Island, Long Island or to General Relief. One hundred percent of the gross funds benefit those adversely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

To help raise awareness and resources for its efforts, the Foundation has joined America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New York sports icons Robinson Cano, John Franco and Carl Banks who recently taped a public service announcement urging the public to support the Foundation's relief efforts. The PSA can be viewed at www.TunnelToTowers.org/Relief.

Giuliani noted that the Siller Foundation was "just about the first to step up when this hurricane hit Staten Island."

"They go out there in the streets and find the people and give them the help they need. People's homes are gone. Their treasures are gone," he said. Frank Siller, chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation added, "Every dollar – no, excuse me, every penny – will go to help all of the victims of Hurricane Sandy in this area. We're not here for a week or two weeks or a month. We are going to be here for the long haul."

Franco, a former Major League Baseball player who lived on Long Island for 20 years, urged past and present major leaguers to step up to the plate and pitch in on the relief efforts with the Tunnel To Towers Foundation.

"If you're out there and hear me, send a donation," he said. "The holidays are coming – Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have to bring some joy to these people."

"It's sad to see the situation Staten Island is going through," said Cano, a current major leaguer. "New York is my home. This is where I play, where I spend most of my time."

Meanwhile, Banks said he was "humbled" after seeing the storm damage up close.

"Until you see it in person, you don't know the devastation wrought on these communities," said Banks. "This is not donating celebrity to this cause. This is donating my human efforts. And I will say, without a doubt, for those that don't have the means to make a donation, donate your time. These are people without lives right now. We have to help them restore their lives, restore normalcy."

Individuals or companies/groups looking to volunteer with the Tunnel to Towers – Hurricane Relief can email [email protected]. They can also bring donations to any of the five centers. To learn more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's leadership with Hurricane Sandy relief, visit www.TunnelToTowers.org.

SOURCE TunnelToTowers.org