Results tagged “donations”

Wherever Leona Helmsley is now, we imagine she's throwing a fit. Even though the late, famously mean hotelier's will had a two-page mission statement outlining that her $5-8 billion estate go to the care and welfare of dogs, a judge ruled in February that the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Trust could give the money to other non-canine charities. The first round of donations, totaling $136 million, was announced today: $115 million to medical research (including $40 million to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for a digestive diseases center, $25-million to Mount Sinai Medical Center a electrophysiology center, and $10-million to Mount Sinai School of Medicine an inflammatory bowel disease center) while "just" $1 million went to ten animal-related charities (the ASPCA got $100,000). The trust said, "Throughout their lives, the Helmsleys were committed to helping others, through the innovations of medical research, responding to those in need during critical times and in other areas. We now have the privilege of continuing their good works by providing support where it will make a difference."

The pressure's on now, Nerd Herd! Following all the press the talented troupe of teens got regarding the monetary deficiency keeping them from taking their rightful place at the Robotic World Festival in Atlanta next month, the donations have been piling up. Most notably, the giant $5K check presented to the little robotic engineers on Good Day New York this morning. The signature on it was that of British vacuum cleaner exec James Dyson, who told the Daily News, "These kids represent the future of engineering. They've demonstrated the essential traits: an inventive spirit and a healthy dose of perseverance." On top of that big chunk of change, reportedly over 40 people made donations by calling the school yesterday. The principal of their Sheepshead Bay school said, "Kids actually think being a nerd is cool now."

After what had been a scandal-plagued year for House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, the local congressman must have been looking to turn over a new leaf in 2009. But it only took three days into the new year to find his name making headlines for murky dealings—this time with a potential conflict of interest in soliciting charitable donations from the recently bailed out insurance giant AIG. And this time it's not even the Post breathing down Rangel's neck as usual, but an investigative cover story in today's New York Times.

Did you know that donations to politicians can be used to pay off their parking tickets? Apparently embattled Rep. Charles Rangel has paid off some 2007 parking violations (with his PT Cruiser!) in D.C. by using campaign money. A Rangel spokesman said there's "nothing unethical" about that, especially, as the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington points out, "if [the tickets] were incurred during campaign activities or in relation to Rangel’s position as an officeholder." His office told CREW, "Given the holidays and the press of business in preparation for the new administration, we have not reconstructed the circumstances behind each ticket. However, Congressman Rangel is confident that the National Leadership PAC and Rangel for Congress complied with all applicable laws and regulations in connection with these expenses, which were fully reported consistent with FEC requirements.” In NYC, Rangel rides around in a Cadillac DeVille.

The NY Times has a feature on billionaire Robert Wood Johnson IV's loyalty to the Republican party and his willingness to fork over millions. In fact, a hospitality suite at the RNC was named after him ("Woody Johnson Minneapolis-St. Paul 2008 Host Committee Private Lounge"). Apparently Johnson has a "willingness to engage in the hard slog of making hundreds of calls" to ask people like billionaire David Koch and Donald Trump, "to persuade [them] raise $100,000 each, or failing that, $25,000, marking his progress after each call." And do you want to know how committed he is to McCain's cause? He even called Cablevision's Charles Dolan--who did donate. Gang Green indeed.

On March 22nd Lola Staar opened up her Dreamland Roller Rink inside the historic Childs Building on the Coney Island Boardwalk. The temporary rink was paid for by Glamour and Tommy Hilfiger, who sponsored a contest Staar won.

Charitable food banks are also suffering from the recent increases in the cost of food. Last year food banks were being squeezed by the increased demand from the city's hungry, who were finding that rising rents, fuel costs, and transportation costs were limiting the income they had to devote to food. More and more people were turning to New York's charitable food organizations to make ends meet.

A lawsuit filed Monday against the City Campaign Finance Board seeks to overturn a recently enacted funding law that opponents assert will just make the City Council richer - and whiter. The recently-enacted campaign finance restrictions reduces the contributions from companies who do business with the city by a whopping 92%. Translation: In a mayoral race, the individual limit on giving is now $400, versus $4,950; in City Council races, it's $250, down from $2,950.

Now that you've torn through your presents and are making room for new gifts and purchases -- why not give a little back? Green Brooklyn reminds us that we have until December 31st to make tax-deductible donations (to claim on 2007 income taxes). They were particularly moved by the amount of work Habitat for Humanity has been doing for Brooklyn, they just completed their 9th home in the area -- all "constructed using state-of-the-art, eco-friendly building materials, like cabinets partially made of sunflower seeds and counter tops made of recycled glass."