Tuesday June 19, 8:01 am Eastern Time. Press Release.
SOURCE: Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. Yahoo! June 19, 2001
25 Scholar-Athletes Travel to Cuba for Two Weeks Will Build Community
Center And Provide Community Outreach to Underprivileged Cuban Children
NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation,
Inc., continuing to focus on enriching the lives of youth, will work with The
Boys' Club of New York to send 25 scholar-athletes and staff members to Cuba for
a two-week educational and cultural tour. These young men, aged 18-20 years old,
faced fierce competition for a chance to be a part of this trip and are
distinguished by excelling in athletics, student government and academics. The
group arrives in Havana on June 17th where they will build a community center,
paint houses, teach basketball clinics, as well as deliver medicine, school
supplies and athletic equipment to Cuban children in need. Tommy Hilfiger
Corporate Foundation made a $70,000 cash and in-kind contribution to support the
educational exchange.
In addition to the community service projects, the young men will attend
lectures and tour the country's historic landmarks, cities, museums and schools
in order to learn more about their host country. The program, which has the
approval from the U.S. Department of Treasury, provides an opportunity for New
York inner-city students to give back to other less fortunate children -- while
it also instills a sense of purpose, builds self-esteem, and strengthens their
leadership skills. The group will also film a documentary of their trip that
will premiere November 2001.
``These are extraordinary young men who have faced serious hardships in
their lives -- most come from disadvantaged backgrounds but still managed to
rise to the top. I am impressed with their ability to reach out to others in
need,'' said Tommy Hilfiger. ``This is the second year we have been involved
with this project -- last year we helped to send Boys' Club of New York to
China. It pleases me that the Foundation could contribute and help these young
men as they prepare themselves for their futures.''
``This trip is so important to these young men, because it gives them an
incredible life experience that will forever enrich their lives,'' says Brad
Zervas, Executive Director of the Boys' Club of New York. ``We want them to
reach beyond the limitations that can often accompany poverty and provide an
opportunity to see themselves outside of their own environment. We believe
international travel is the perfect vehicle to experience new cultures,
particularly those that face their own social challenges. We are thankful to
Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation for the generous donation and to our Board
of Trustees for making this possible.''
The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation has a commitment to the physical
well being of youth with a major emphasis on education and cultural programs
that impact a diverse population. Over the past two years, The Tommy Hilfiger
Corporate Foundation has raised $2.8 million dollars for major renovations to
The Fresh Air Fund's campsite, Camp Tommy. In addition, the Foundation has made
a $5 million dollar commitment to the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Memorial Project Foundation to help build a memorial for Dr. King on
the Mall in Washington, D.C.
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation (NYSE: TOM - news), through its subsidiaries,
designs, sources and markets men's and women's sportswear, jeanswear and
childrenswear under the Tommy Hilfiger trademarks. Through a range of strategic
licensing agreements, the Company is expanding its product lines to offer a
broader array of apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance and home furnishings.
The Company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores
throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe,
Japan, Hong Kong and other countries in the Far East. |
