Yonkers Partners In Education
Wendy R. Nadel, Executive Director
(914) 377-4882
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 24, 2009
For More Information Contact: Marijane Funess
Email: mj@theonswitch.com
Of the 25,000 public school students in Yonkers many live in homes where significant obstacles limit their dreams. In an effort to change this, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), a not-for-profit organization that works to support the Yonkers Public Schools, is using advanced mobile technology and traditional fundraising tactics this year to solicit donations at its 2nd Annual Gala on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 6:00pm, at Empire City Yonkers Raceway. The gala will honor Ed Sheeran, President of Palmer Economic Development Inc. in Yonkers and feature a gourmet dinner prepared by local celebrity chef, Peter Kelly of the famed restaurant X20, who will also premier a signature dessert “starring” chocolate designed expressly for YPIE. Ralph Viglioti, Principal of Yonkers High School will receive this year’s Leadership Award.
YPIE is debuting “mobile pledging” in Westchester with Text to Pledge, a program that allows attendees to text message a donation amount via their personal handheld device. Donations will be broadcast on screen in real time at the event. For those who cannot attend, Text to Pledge will be live the day before and the day after the event. This technology opens a new chapter in fundraising. It is eco-friendly, convenient, and simple to use. It also engages new donors (students, families, and individuals) in the process. Nancy A. Shenker, CEO of theONswitch and YPIE board member, assisted by a team of “tech-savvy” students, will present Text to Pledge at the gala. In further efforts to be environmentally sensitive, YPIE will feature a video journal rather than a paper one.
“Whichever way donors choose we are appreciative because every dollar counts. A five dollar donation provides a student with a new book. A twenty five dollar donation offers an online SAT prep class for a student and just fifty dollars more gives a whole family the opportunity to attend a six week literacy program,” says Wendy Nadel, YPIE’s Executive Director.
As is tradition, the gala will feature a much anticipated silent auction with an array of exclusive, appealing donations. “Don’t miss out on the opportunity to bid on a private Halloween party at Beyond Costumes in Yonkers, a chance to see a on stage opera star, Dawn Upshaw of Yonkers, or go on a fishing charter for two donated by former Saunders High School Grad, Captain John Lucka of Long Run Fishing Charters,” says Leslie Heineman, YPIE director of Special Projects.
All net proceeds from the evening will benefit the Yonkers Public School children. Proceeds from last year’s gala enabled YPIE to accomplish goals like opening two College Centers (with a 3rd on the way), offering scholarships for SAT prep classes and providing books to all K-3rd grade children through YonkersReads.
About YPIE: Yonkers Partners in Education is a public education fund that works in partnership with the public and private sectors to ensure that all students attending public school in Yonkers receive a high quality education that prepares them for work, college, and success in life.
About Text to Pledge: Text to Pledge, is an eco-friendly method of donation allowing fundraiser attendees to pledge any amount to the cause using their personal hand held device and the text message feature. All copy within an attendee’s text message is broadcasted on screen in real time at the event, creating a social network. The program has raised nearly $2 million since its inception in mid-2007.
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