Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Chancellor Joel I. Klein, and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Randi Weingarten today announced that the New York City Department of Education and the UFT are partnering to launch a Tsunami Relief Fund in the City’s public schools. Funds collected in the schools during the twelve-week drive will be sent to specially-created New York City public school funds at the American Red Cross in Greater New York and the International Rescue Committee.

“The City is doing all we can to help the survivors of the devastating tsunami in Asia, and I am proud to see so many teachers, students and parents are looking for ways to help as well,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The best way New Yorkers can help is to send donations to organizations that provide disaster relief, and this fundraising effort through our schools will help in that process. I would like to once again extend my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones in this catastrophe.”

“We are honored to be one of the organizations designated to receive the donations of New York’s students,” said Theresa A. Bischoff, CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York. “Many children have taken the initiative to collect funds for the victims of this tragedy, and this provides a wonderful way to channel their compassion.”

As part of this effort, the DOE has waived the Chancellor’s Regulation setting limits on the number of school fundraisers. Each and every New York City public school is invited to take part in this charitable campaign on a voluntary basis. Events already being organized by schools throughout the City include bake sales, community fundraisers, and coin drives.

The new fundraising effort will continue until April 1, 2005. Donations may be provided in cash and checks should be made out to the American Red Cross in Greater New York School Fund.