FLASH MOB ALERT: For Sandy relief -- Today 12:12pm at Washington Square Park Arch

BALLROOM BASIX HOSTS RHUMBA FOR ROCKAWAY RELIEF

FLASH MOB

Tony Dovolani of Dancing With The Stars, Iveta Lukosiute, the 2009 World 10 Dance Champion, Radio City Rockettes and Flash Mob America Join Ballroom Basix to Raise Funds for Rockaway

TODAY, Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.

Washington Square Park Arch, Manhattan
(map/directions)

More than 100 Ballroom and Latin dancers with Harlem schoolchildren from M.S. 45, 57 and 76 come together to raise thousands for Sancy victims.

Ballroom Basix, a not-for-profit, arts-in-education initiative that brings the etiquette and education of partner dancing to deter bullying and enhance peer relationships among schoolchildren, was serving over 120 students in PS 114 in the Rockaways before Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the area. PS 114 was one of the most severly affected schools ­ so sever that all the children were relocated.

The flash mob will be danced to an original composition, a contemporary English/Spanish version of America, The Beautiful (featuring Grammy-nominated powerhouse Karina Pasian). The song is available on iTunes for $1 ­ all dowload proceeds will go towards helping the students of PS 114. A video of today¹s flash mob will post later today in hopes of viral recognition/downloads/fundraising.

Post-Sandy: Asia Society helps Staten Island students and families

Dear Members and Friends of the Asia Society,

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we hope our greater New York members are safe.  We have been assessing how best to assist those who are still without power, heat or homes.  Thanks to a close and profound connection, we have found the answer.  The College of Staten Island High School for International Studies, or CSI for short, was founded as a partnership between Asia Society's International Studies Schools Network (ISSN) and the New York City Department of Education in 2005.  It’s been a great success, by every measure.  Now the CSI needs our help, in a very different way.

As many of you know, the storm took particularly brutal aim at Staten Island.  While the CSI school did not suffer significant damage, fifteen of its students lost their homes to the storm, and the homes of many more students suffered damage, the loss of utilities and other hardships.  Many families have been displaced from their homes – and it’s not clear when it will be deemed safe to return.

Asia Society’s Brandon Wiley – who has worked with CSI over the years – has been in touch with the school principal and superintendent.  Yesterday the superintendent told Brandon they have received some donations, and she was particularly supportive of our wish to help.  She suggested we work with the school to determine the greatest needs.  So with the help of Asia Society board members, we are setting up a fund for the children and families of the CSI school.  Brandon Wiley will shepherd our efforts to help gauge the most pressing needs in that community.  Asia Society will also contribute to this effort from cost-paring at this week’s awards dinner.

Many Asia Society staffers and trustees have already donated their time and money to help; and some colleagues have suffered the effects of long power outages and gas shortages and the like.  Still, once we arrive at our offices at the Asia Society headquarters – by long walks, or bikes, in car pools or jammed buses - we cannot help but feel the disconnect.  Here we are along an unscathed and never-blacked-out patch of Manhattan; a few miles to the south and east, so many people are suffering.  So we hope our fund will make a difference, for a group of children and their families with whom we already have a great bond.  We ask that members of the Asia Society "family" consider a gift.  All donations will be administered to those who need them most.

A few more words about CSI: In the mold of all ISSN schools, CSI holds to the mission of graduating globally competent and college - and career-ready students.  With approximately 526 students, CSI is one of New York City's top ranked 20 public high schools, and # 1 on Staten Island.  The CSI faculty and staff provide a rigorous and globally-focused learning experience for all who pass through their doors.  Asia Society is a proud partner of CSI, supporting their development and growth since its inception.

Asia Society prides itself on being a global organization, as well as a place of intellectual engagement and an important part of New York’s cultural landscape. We are committed to assisting the local community during this time of need. 

If you wish to contribute, please make checks payable to Asia Society/Hurricane Relief. Checks should be sent to Asia Society/Hurricane Relief at 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021.

As always, we appreciate your support.

With thanks,

Henrietta H. Fore, Co-Chair, Asia Society
Ronnie C. Chan, Co-Chair, Asia Society
Tom Nagorski, Executive Vice President

Help New Jersey recover

Want to help out New Jerseyans impacted by Hurricane Sandy? Here's a good Facebook link to find out how:

NewJerseyNeeds