Yonkers Mike Spano will be presented the 2019 Small Business Advocate Award Tuesday, September 24^th at 1PM at La Piñata Bakery (118 Main St.) by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Spano has demonstrated his commitment and support of small business by creating a business friendly environment in Yonkers helping businesses grow and prosper.

Who:             Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano

Jeff Bean, U.S. Conference of Mayors

Roberto Espiritu, owner of La Piñata Bakery

Yonkers Downtown BID

What:           U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Advocate Award

Where:         La Piñata Bakery

118 Main Street

Yonkers, NY

When:           Tuesday, September 24

1PM

General Public Invited to Support Pat Quinn in His Quest to Find a Cure for ALS in

Largest Simultaneous Ice Bucket Challenge; All Ages Welcome

(Yonkers, NY) – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts President & COO Uri Clinton and Yonkers Native Pat Quinn announced today the 2019 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will take place on Saturday, August 3 trackside at Empire City Casino. The annual event, co-founded by Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013, became a global phenomenon in 2014 as thousands of people from around the world participated in the challenge on social media. Since 2015, Empire City Casino has hosted the annual challenge in support of Quinn and to continue to generate awareness for ALS research. The festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. with food concessions available for purchase, music, and much more. Ice Bucket Challenge participants can pre-register in-advance online at www.YonkersNY.gov or www.empirecitycasino.com .

ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. With no known cure, Quinn began the Ice Bucket Challenge to put ALS on ice by raising awareness as well as donations for research. The challenge has remained a catalyst of the efforts to find a cure for ALS, with Quinn helping inspire billions of dollars in donations for ALS research, which has helped produce significant discoveries and breakthroughs.

“Empire City Casino is proud to continue supporting Yonkers-native Pat Quinn in his courageous fight and to be part of the worldwide phenomenon he helped create as co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Uri Clinton, Empire City Casino President & Chief Operating Officer. “We are incredibly humbled to be part of a community that always shows up to support each other. We can all do our part to raise awareness of the need for more funds for ALS research. We’ll see you trackside August 3rd.”

Each year, Empire City Casino donates the space, set-up and staffing, as well as over 1,300 pounds of ice.

“Pat Quinn’s fight and determination to combat this horrible disease has been so inspirational and we are proud to join him in that effort,” said Mayor Spano. “Pat and his organization, Quinn For The Win, have courageously and selflessly turned his battle with ALS into one of the most successful social media fundraising movements this world has ever seen. We encourage any and all to join us on August 3rd for a great day of family fun at Empire City Casino.”

Pat Quinn commented, “I’m so grateful for the continued support from Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and the entire City of Yonkers. I’m extremely proud to know Quinn For The Win and Yonkers continue to fight ALS together. We live by the mantra Every August Until A Cure. This is the fifth time the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been held at the casino. Let’s make it the biggest and best yet to show everyone the fight against ALS is stronger than ever! Please join me August 3rd at Empire City Casino to kick off the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in Yonkers.”

A recent report from RTI, an independent research firm, showed that donations from when the Ice Bucket Challenge first began in 2014 helped the ALS Association increase its annual funding for research worldwide by 187 percent. A recent Oregon State University study showed a copper compound can help slow the progression of ALS after recent testing in mice. Just a few short years ago, researchers discovered a new gene associated with ALS that may hold the key to one day finding a cure. Additionally, new technology is allowing individuals affected by ALS, like Pat, to regain their voice.

ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Approximately 20,000 Americans currently suffer from the disease.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Quinn for the Win which benefits Pat Quinn’s care as well as not-for-profit ALS research organizations. For more information, go to YonkersNY.gov, Quinn4theWin and Facebook.com/QuinnForTheWin.

Assets: http://bit.ly/ALSIBC2019

At the Enrico Fermi School, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Yonkers Public Schools Announce Elimination of Polystyrene Food Trays

(Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers)

YONKERS, NY – June 18, 2019 — Mayor Mike Spano, along with Trustees from the Yonkers Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, today announced Yonkers Public Schools has replaced all of its polystyrene (known as Styrofoam) food trays with 100% recyclable food trays.

As of March 2019, all 40 Yonkers Public Schools eliminated the use of polystyrene trays, which are produced using fossil fuels and carcinogenic compounds, including Styrene and Benzene. Polystyrene does not biodegrade and pollutes air and waterways.

The transition to recyclable trays comes at the suggestion of Mayor Spano’s Yonkers Green City Advisory Committee which provides guidance and recommendations to the city on ways to create a healthier, more vibrant and attractive city by prioritizing energy and sustainability initiatives.

“I want to thank the Green City Advisory Committee and Office of Sustainability for their insight and recommendation to the Yonkers Public Schools on how we can continue to provide greener, more sustainable materials and services in our schools,” said Mayor Spano. “Together with Yonkers Public Schools, we are leading by example and teaching our young people how they too can be better stewards of the environment.”

“Wherever possible the Trustees look for ways to encourage the use of environmentally safe products throughout the District.  The work of the Mayor’s Yonkers Green City Advisory Committee has focused the entire City on this important initiative, we are happy to do our part,” stated Rev. Steve Lopez, President, Yonkers Board of Education.

“The biodegradable compostable five-compartment circular trays are sturdy and easier for small hands to carry,” notedSuperintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada.  “The environmental benefits of these new trays will last generations. Thank you to our Food Services team for seamlessly transitioning the trays and continuing to work towards better sustainable solutions for our students.”

Yonkers’ Office of Sustainability Director and Chair of the Yonkers Green City Advisory Committee, Jason Baker,commented, “The removal of millions of polystyrene foam trays from our school cafeterias is a sensible initiative to help eliminate a major source of pollution and provides a valuable learning opportunity for students to understand the importance of taking simple environmental actions now to protect our future. The Yonkers Green City Advisory Committee commends Mayor Spano and Superintendent Quezada for their continued leadership in protecting the health of our city and students.”

Yonkers Public Schools use approximately 2 million food service trays annually.