Canadian Red Cross accepts largest-ever personal donation
Music World Founders make personal contribution of $5 million to Tsunami Relief
(Toronto, January 10, 2005) In a time of great tragedy and unprecedented giving, the Canadian Red Cross today received its biggest-ever personal contribution to a disaster appeal. Kroum and Eva Pindoff, the founders of Music World Limited and Pindoff Record Sales Limited, presented a cheque this morning for $5,000,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Asia Earthquake & Tsunamis Relief Fund.
After pledging $500,000 to the relief effort on Friday, the Pindoffs reconsidered the size of their gift. “After seeing more stark images of this tremendous tragedy and misery, my wife and I were up most of the night, grief-stricken,” Mr. Pindoff said. “We wanted to help alleviate the suffering, and decided we had to make a more substantial gift.”
This $5 million donation is in addition to a $100,000 contribution made by the Pindoffs last week.
The Pindoffs were anxious to make this extraordinary gift prior to January 11 to ensure that it would qualify for the federal government’s donation matching program. “Prime Minister Paul Martin and the federal government have shown great leadership in creating the donation matching program,” said Mrs. Eva Pindoff, President of Music World Canada. “It was very effective in inspiring the quick timing of our donation today.”
The Pindoffs hope their generous donation will inspire other Canadians of means to make substantial gifts by January 11, so that the victims of this tragedy can gain the maximum benefit from Canadian generosity.
Eva and Kroum Pindoff have been longtime supporters of the work of the Canadian Red Cross around the world. The philanthropist couple have supported projects that addressed the needs of women, children and seniors who were affected by war in the former Yugoslavia. They have also channelled several million dollars to Red Cross projects assisting victims of landmines. “My wife and I have had a long standing relationship with the Canadian Red Cross and we are pleased to assist financially in advancing their efforts in Asia,” explained Mr. Pindoff.
“On behalf of all those who will benefit from this donation, the Canadian Red Cross is extremely grateful for this significant gift from Kroum and Eva Pindoff,” said Deputy Secretary-General John Mulvihill. “The Pindoffs ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the Red Cross tremendously improves the lives of countless people touched by calamity.”
Today’s donation is the largest, one-time gift the Pindoffs have made to a Red Cross effort.
While continuing to provide immediate relief to the stricken areas, Canadian Red Cross and its international counterparts are now assessing the long-term needs of those affected. “Based on our experience in previous disasters, the Red Cross expects that it will take at least five years, and probably longer, for these communities to recover from the December 26 catastrophe,” said Mulvihill.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may donate online, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa and MasterCard. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Relief” and mailed to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. For information on how Red Cross manages donations, please visit "How We Care For Your Donations.” Donations of goods are not accepted.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
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Contact:
Pamela Davie, Public Affairs Director
Ontario Zone, Canadian Red Cross
416 442 1948 (pager)
905 890 1000, x234 office.
