MAYOR MIKE SPANO TO DISTRIBUTE OVER 400 BACKPACKS TO THOMAS CORNELL ACADEMY STUDENTS AT 7th ANNUAL “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” DRIVE

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Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano will join Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Quezada, Board of Education Trustees, parents, students and staff of Thomas Cornell Academy in Yonkers for the 7th Annual “Backpack to School Drive” Wednesday, August 29th at 1:00 PM at Thomas Cornell Academy’s St. Mary’s Hall, at 15 St. Mary’s Street, in Yonkers, NY. 

The Mayor will distribute backpacks and school supplies received through the “Backpack to School Drive” to the students and families in attendance.  Backpacks and School Supplies were donated by sponsors Empire City Casino, Heavenly Productions Foundation, Sears, Elite Investigations LTD, Rock & Rod’s Collector Car Club, Castle Royale and Yonkers residents.

***Interviews and Photo Opps** 

Who:           Mayor Mike Spano

                       Yonkers City Council

                       School Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada

                       Yonkers Board of Education Trustees

                       Thomas Cornell Academy Principal Dr. Edward Beglane   

                       Thomas Cornell Academy Families & Students

                       Event Sponsors

What:          “Backpack to School” Drive Press Conference & Distribution

Where:       Cornell Academy’s St. Mary’s Hall (adjacent to school entrance) 

                       15 St. Mary’s Street, Yonkers

When:        Wednesday, August 29

                       1:00 PM

YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO ANNOUNCES COOLING CENTERS AS EXTREME HEAT HITS THE CITY

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YONKERS, NY – August 28, 2018 – Mayor Mike Spano announced today the City of Yonkers will designate several locations throughout the city as Cooling Centers as temperatures will reach 95+ degrees, combined with high levels of humidity.

“As a city it is important that when heat waves hit our area, we make Cooling Centers available to all residents in need of a cool place to rest and stay hydrated,” said Mayor Spano. “I especially encourage our city’s older adults, residents with medical conditions and those working outside to please stay safe and utilize a Cooling Center located nearest to you if needed.”

Mayor Spano said each Cooling Center will be equipped with water, seating and air conditioning. The following locations will be open as Cooling Centers during specified hours for all residents:

Bernice Spreckman Community Center

777 McLean Avenue

12:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Scotti Community Center

680 Bronx River Road

11:30 AM to 3:30 PM 

Nodine Hill Community Center

140 Fillmore Street

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Nepperhan Community Center

342 Warburton Avenue

Until 3:00PM

North Yonkers Preservation

219 Ridge Avenue

Until 2:00PM

Yonkers Riverfront Library

One Larkin Center
Until 8:00PM

Grinton I. Will Library

1500 Central Park Avenue

Until 9:00PM

Crestwood Library

16 Thompson Street

Until 9:00PM

Chema Community Center

435 Riverdale Avenue

Until 4:30PM

To ensure safety, the Mayor is also raising awareness of heat safety precautions residents should take during periods of extreme heat:

·         If you have air conditioning already installed, make sure it works properly before the use.

·         Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate them if necessary. Check your home’s air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

·         Install temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, between windows and drapes to reflect heat back outside.

·         Install weather stripping on your home’s doors and windowsills to keep cool air in and hot air out.

·         Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers, which can reduce the heat entering a home by up to 80 percent.

·         Keep storm windows in place year-round.

·         If you don’t have air conditioning, open your windows during the coolest part of the day and keep fresh air moving around your home with circulating fans.

·         Drink plenty of cool non-alcoholic liquids, especially water.

·         Protect your face and head with a wide-brimmed hat, and wear light-colored clothing to reflect sunlight (dark clothing more readily absorbs sunlight).

·         Keep pets indoors and refill their water bowls frequently.

For more information on City Cooling Centers or for any additional assistance, please call the Mayor’s Help Line at 377-HELP.

RUN THE STREETS OF HISTORIC YONKERS. SIGN UP NOW!

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MAYOR MIKE SPANO LAUNCHES 7th ANNUAL YONKERS “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE

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Residents & Businesses Encouraged To Donate Backpacks & School Supplies For Students In Need At Drop-Off Locations Across The City

YONKERS, NY – August 2, 2018 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the launch of the City’s annual “Backpack to School” school supply donation drive. The 7th annual donation drive provides backpacks and school supplies to Yonkers Public School students most in need. This year’s drive is in partnership with sponsors Heavenly Productions, Empire City Casino and Sears. Items donated will be provided to the students of Thomas Cornell Academy in Yonkers.

“Back to school supplies are very expensive and can be a huge financial burden for working families, especially those who have more than one child in school,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “I encourage the entire community to join our Backpack to School Drive and lend a helping hand to those students most in need.”

“Our families do their best to provide new backpacks and school supplies for their children. And for many of our families that can be difficult,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada. “The Mayor’s annual drive energizes an entire school community who are so appreciative for the extra help. The exhilaration on the students’ faces when they receive the backpacks is wonderful.”

Beginning today, backpacks and school supply donations may be made at Backpack to School drop-off locations, including Yonkers City Hall, Robert W. Cacace Justice Center, 87 Nepperhan Government Building, Yonkers Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Library, Crestwood Library and each of the City’s four Police Precincts. Suggested supply packages for donation include new backpacks filled with the following school supplies:

· Crayons
· Colored pencils
· Washable markers
· Glue sticks or Elmer’s glue
· Rulers
· Pink erasers
· #2 pencils
· Pencil Sharpeners
· Loose leaf paper
· Composition Books
· Pencil pouches
· Pocket folders
· Hand sanitizer
· Tissue Packets

According to the National Retail Federation, the national average spent on back to school supplies is $29.5 Billion. Parent spend hundreds of dollars on back to school items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics totaling to more than $600 per child.

The Backpack to School Drive will run through August 22nd. For more information about the program, please contact the City of Yonkers Public Information Office at 914-377-6300 or visit www.yonkersny.gov/backpack.