Saturday, June 10, 2006,12:00-3:00 PM at Jackie Robinson Park, located between West 145th and 155th Streets from Bradhurst to Edgecombe Avenues, The New York Junior League—Jackie Robinson Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: The New York Junior League(NYJL) via their Playground Improvement Project successfully completed an ambitious five-week renovation at Jackie Robinson Park in Manhattan. The Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held to celebrate the beautification of this vital neighborhood site and commemorate the Fifteenth Annual Playground Improvement Project (PIP) completed by the NYJL. Event Co-Chairs were Kristina Kloberdanz and Amy McCready. The ceremony featured remarks from Sonya Pankey, granddaughter of baseball icon Jackie Robinson Commissioner Adrian Benepe, NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Borough Commissioner William T. Castro, Assemblyman Hermann “Denny” Farrell, NYC District 7 Councilmember, Robert Jackson and NYJL President Cynthia Cathcart. Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie Robinson was unable to attend. Sonya Pankey paid tribute to the efforts of the New York Junior League, its volunteers and the significance of these community understakings by quoting her grandfather, the late Jackie Robinson, in stating: "A Life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." The newly renovated band shell (Mural by Artist Michael Young) included performances by the Children’s Aid Society Chorus, Harlem School of the Arts and the "incredibly talented" Jo-Lee Dancers. For nearly 105 years the New York Junior League (NYJL), a nonprofit organization of trained women volunteers has been a leader in identifying and responding to unmet community needs. Approximately 2800 volunteers collectively donate over 250,000 hours of service to better the lives of women and children in New York City each year. Through direct service, collaborations with community organizations and advocacy, the NYJL provides a positive force for change within the communities it serves. MEDIA/PRESS: Cynthia Cathcart, NYJL President |tel: 212-288-6220, ext. 245 |e-mail: ccathcart@nyjl.org PHOTO CREDIT: ©Manhattan Society.com 2006 by Christopher London tel: private | e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com