Major League Baseball Donates $200,000 To Support Disaster Relief Efforts In The Philippines

Fans will be Encouraged via MLB.com and MLB Network to Support Efforts by UNICEF and American Red Cross

Major League Baseball will donate $200,000 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, which was just struck by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record.

Additionally, MLB will encourage baseball fans to support UNICEF and the Red Cross via public service announcements, programming mentions and editorial coverage on MLB Network and MLB.com.

“Major League Baseball is eager to support the relief efforts assisting the people of the Philippines who have suffered because of this tragic storm,” Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. “Millions of people, including many children, have been affected by this storm, and we encourage others to contribute to the essential work of both UNICEF and the Red Cross in helping the country recover during this most difficult time.”

Caryl Stern, President and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF said: “Major League Baseball has been a true friend to the world’s children in their time of need. In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, some five million children have lost their homes, schools and communities. MLB not only asked fans to support UNICEF’s response, but today they have made a generous gift to help fuel the relief so desperately needed. On behalf of the children who’ve endured the strongest storm in history, we thank MLB and its fans for the support.”

“The generous support of Major League Baseball will help the Red Cross support people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, both in the emergency response and as people and communities work to rebuild their lives,” said Neal Litvack, chief development officer at the American Red Cross.

MLB Network will provide information across its studio programming about the work being done by UNICEF and the American Red Cross and encourage viewers to donate. MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, will also support relief efforts with editorial coverage, social media outreach and prominently-displayed links to UNICEF (unicefusa.org) and the Red Cross (RedCross.org) where baseball fans can make contributions online. 

For more information, please visit MLBCommunity.org.

###

About UNICEF  

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

For additional information, please contact:

Andrea Sioris, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9136, asioris@unicefusa.org