Month-Long Citi Bike Initiative Can Raise up to $50,000 Each for the American Red Cross, No Kid Hungry and YMCA of Greater New York
September 16, 2015 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Citi today announced Citi Bike® for Good, a month-long initiative enabling Citi Bike riders to support three of New York City’s most impactful not-for-profit organizations when they ride. Between September 16 and October 16, every Citi Bike ride will support the American Red Cross, No Kid Hungry® and the YMCA of Greater New York. During Citi Bike for Good, hundreds of specially-branded bicycles will hit the streets. Citi will kick off the activation with a base donation of $10,000 for each charity and will follow with up to $40,000 in additional donations to the respective organizations based on ridership during the initiative.
“New Yorkers have ridden Citi Bike over 21 million times, showing just how much they have embraced bike share as a mode of transportation”
“The Citi Bike program has become a mobile landmark of New York City, and we are thrilled to use it as a platform to raise awareness of and generate support for three organizations making a real difference in the lives of millions of people,” said Paula Kelley, Managing Director, Citi Cards. “Citi Bike for Good will provide a fun and healthy way for New Yorkers and visitors to help us support these important causes. Whether you are an avid Citi Bike user or a first-timer, now is the time to hop on a bike and help us meet the Citi Bike for Good challenges.”
“For more than 100 years the Red Cross has helped New Yorkers following unexpected emergencies large and small,” said Josh Lockwood, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Greater New York Region. “We are grateful to Citi for its long-standing support of our humanitarian mission and are proud to kick off this initiative with the Citi Bike program today. Thank you to all who will ride Citi Bikes to support the Red Cross and our terrific partners over these next few weeks. And please, be safe and wear a bike helmet.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Citi to bring us closer to achieving our goal of creating a No Kid Hungry nation,” said Share Our Strength Founder and CEO Billy Shore. “This initiative is another great example of its dedication and commitment to ending childhood hunger. We’ve made real, lasting progress, and with Citi’s support we can take that progress to the next level.”
“The YMCA is dedicated to the health and well-being of communities across our great City, and we are thrilled to be supported by the Citi Bike program, which has done an excellent job of making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to exercise on-the-go,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater New York. “The funds raised through this partnership will help ensure that we can continue offering the Y’s health services and benefits to those most in need.”
During Citi Bike for Good, any Citi Bike ride – on a specially branded bicycle or a traditional Citi Bike bicycle – will be counted toward the program’s goal of surpassing total riders during the same period in 2014 – 1 million rides. If the goal is met, Citi will contribute an additional $25,000 to each not-for-profit organization. Citi will host additional Pulse Ridership Challenges to encourage overall participation. These challenges will be worth a bonus of $5,000 per organization if the goals are met, resulting in an additional possible $15,000 total donation. The specific ridership goals for the Pulse Ridership Challenges will be announced during the month. The challenges will include:
Super Commuters Challenge: Rides in a work week, September 21 – September 25
Weekend Warrior Challenge: Rides in a weekend, October 3 and October 4
Interborough Explorers Challenge: Borough-to-borough rides, October 7 – October 11
“New Yorkers have ridden Citi Bike over 21 million times, showing just how much they have embraced bike share as a mode of transportation,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “This month, we encourage New Yorkers to continue to ride Citi Bike, which will have an added benefit of helping three great charities.”
“With each of the over 36 million miles pedaled, Citi Biker riders have done good for their bodies and their city,” said Motivate CEO Jay Walder. “This month we encourage more people to give Citi Bike a try to help these great charities do good for more New Yorkers.”
To help New Yorkers meet the Citi Bike for Good challenge, Citi will distribute free Citi Bike day passes at its new branch on 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan on September 16th, 17th and 18th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM while supplies last.
Citi has strong ties to – and a deep history of support for – all three not-for-profit organizations.
American Red Cross: Citi has worked with the American Red Cross to fund, implement and initiate relief and service efforts for nearly a century. Today, Citi Foundation is a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting disaster relief operations in the United States and around the world. Citi and the Citi Foundation have supported these efforts through employee volunteerism and direct financial support of more than $18 million since 2003.
No Kid Hungry: In December 2014, Citi become one of Share Our Strength’s Core Partners for its No Kid Hungry campaign, supporting the organization’s mission to ensure that no child in the United States goes hungry. Earlier this month, Citi launched the second part of its fundraising campaign to donate up to $1 million to No Kid Hungry this year — enough to provide 10 million healthy meals to children in need.
YMCA of Greater New York: Citi and the Citi Foundation began its work with the YMCA of Greater New York more than 25 years ago to support its renowned youth development and healthy living programs. In recent years, Citi has supported the organization’s Strong Kids Campaign and Y Schools project, as well as other financial education, economic empowerment and after school programs.
To learn more about Citi Bike for Good and get updates on ridership and details on the challenges, follow or join the conversation on social media at #citibikeforgood and @CitiBikeNYC.
About Citi
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.
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