NEW YORK, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- During a meeting today, Mrs. Lily Safra told representatives of five New York community organizations that she would personally match any new donations they receive over the next three months, up to a level of $500,000 for each charity. As a result, each charity stands to gain $1 million of new funding. In addition, Mrs. Safra also announced today a personal donation of $500,000 to Dillard University in New Orleans to help pay for its reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina in late August. Because they are in a state of emergency, the same matching concept will not apply to Dillard. Mrs. Lily Safra is one of the world's leading philanthropists, donating millions of dollars annually on a personal level as well as through her role as Chairman of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation. Today's meeting was held to discuss how Mrs. Safra could use part of the proceeds from the upcoming auction of some of her art collection to help five of her favorite community charities in New York. The charities involved are Henry Street Settlement, The Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan, God's Love We Deliver, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, and Children's Health Fund. Commenting on this innovative move, Mrs. Safra said, "Last week I received a letter from The Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan telling me that they had received a pledge to match new donations up to $500,000. The idea of giving half a million dollars and watching a charity quickly turn it into a million greatly appealed to me. So, I matched it. I then thought I could apply the same concept to other community groups in New York with which I have been involved over the years. "I am delighted that representatives from these organizations were able to be with me today and I hope they will be able over the next three months to encourage others to match my donation, in the same way that the Children's Advocacy Center encouraged me. I am confident that as the holidays approach a great deal can happen, but if it does not, of course I will never let them down. They are all organizations that are very dear to my heart and so important in the life of this city, where my husband and I spent many very happy years." Dr. Walter Strong, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Dillard University, who could not attend today's meeting said, "Mrs. Safra's heartfelt generosity and caring for our students and University at this crucial time is a noble act of kindness. We are very appreciative." Commenting on Mrs. Safra's donations: Michael Caplin, President of The Children's Advocacy Center, said, "This is a blessing beyond words. To have a gesture like this is breathtaking." Verona Middleton-Jeter, Executive Director of the Henry Street Settlement, said, "This is a godsend. It came at such an opportune time as we are looking to see how we will move our agency forward. Having Mrs. Safra's continued support is inspirational to all of us." Karen Redlener, Executive Director of The Children's Health Fund, said, "It is an unbelievable feeling to have someone recognize what we do. It's such an unexpected honor." Barbara Casalino, Matching Gifts Coordinator from The New York Times Company Foundation, said, "We are very grateful for Mrs. Safra's generosity. Her generous donation will help thousands of needy New Yorkers." Beth Finnerty, Chief Operating Officer from God's Love We Deliver, said, "It is donors like Mrs. Safra that allow us to focus on the work of the day. This incredibly generous gift will allow us to expand our work." The Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan is a free clinic that provides assessment and treatment services to child victims of sexual abuse. CACM also trains professionals how to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of abuse, and educates the general public about the role they must play to keep children safe from harm. CACM charges no fees for its services and derives 100% of its operating income from charitable donations. The Children's Health Fund is committed to providing health care to the nation's most medically underserved children by developing and supporting innovative primary care medical programs and promoting guaranteed access to appropriate health care for all children. Through a national network of 17 urban and rural Children's Health Projects, CHF utilizes custom-designed mobile medical units to provide comprehensive care to thousands of vulnerable children each year. God's Love We Deliver works to improve the health of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. They prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves. Founded in 1893 by Lillian Wald, Henry Street Settlement has earned nationwide recognition for pioneering community-based approaches to promoting the health and well-being of immigrant and low-income families. Today, its mission is to open doors of opportunity to enrich lives and enhance human progress for Lower East Side residents and New Yorkers through social services, arts and health care programs. Every year since 1912, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has raised funds from its readers to help New York families in distress. Over these 93 years, the Fund has collected and distributed $215 million, working with seven skilled social service agencies. The New York Times Company covers all administrative costs; every dollar collected goes directly to serve the poor. Dillard University, founded in 1869, is a historically Black university that excels in preparing its students for leadership in the professions, education, the arts, business, the sciences, and nursing. In August, the University was ranked as one of the top ten Liberal Arts universities in the South in the U.S. News & World Report annual survey. The Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation was created to enhance the dignity of others, through faith, hope, love, opportunity and joy. Some of the key areas of focus of the Foundation, which operates worldwide, include the funding of medical research; education; the arts; humanitarian relief; and Jewish cultural and religious organizations. DATASOURCE: Sotheby's CONTACT: Diana Phillips, or Matthew Weigman, both of Sotheby's, +1-212-606-7176 Web site: http://www.sothebys.com/

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