NEW YORK, Dec. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 20th year, Merrill Lynch opened
its doors today to senior citizens in New York City so that they could use the
firm's telephones free-of-charge to call their loved ones around the world.
Created in 1980, Merrill Lynch's Christmas Calls program has become a
worldwide initiative that has reached out to more than 200,000 senior citizens
around the world.
"For 20 years, Christmas Calls has been a special tradition at Merrill
Lynch and it's one of our favorite ways of sharing the spirit of the holiday
season with our neighbors in communities around the world," said Merrill Lynch
Chairman and CEO David H. Komansky. "With so many seniors unable to be with
their families for the holidays, this is a gift we look forward to giving each
year."
At Merrill Lynch offices at 222 Broadway, approximately 1,200 senior
citizens began arriving at 8:00 a.m. this morning to place calls to their
friends and families around the globe. The seniors, who are from 34 New York
City Department for the Aging Centers, were each given one hour to make as
many calls as they wish.
Also, several hundred homebound seniors were included through the use of
conference calls initiated by volunteers at Merrill Lynch. The homebound
program includes seniors from the five boroughs of New York City.
"On the 20th Anniversary of Christmas Calls we are especially pleased to
be able to open our doors and share some joy with members of our community,"
said George Schieren, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. and Chairman of Christmas Calls 1999.
"Christmas Calls reflects the spirit of hundreds of Merrill Lynch employees
around the globe who volunteer their time to this wonderful event."
Approximately 500 volunteers, comprised of Merrill Lynch employees, their
families and friends, were on hand to assist in placing calls.
Representatives of AT&T, Merrill Lynch's global telecommunications carrier,
were on hand to answer questions and ensure that the seniors were able to make
their calls successfully. Refreshments, holiday music, decorations and a
Santa added to the festivities. In addition, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani is
expected to stop by to extend his holiday greetings.
Commissioner Herbert Stupp of the New York City Department for the Aging
said, "The Department for the Aging is pleased to continue the grand-and-merry
tradition of joining with Merrill Lynch in its Christmas Calls program which
brings joy to so many older New Yorkers. Thanks to Merrill Lynch, more than
1,500 elderly, including those who are homebound, are able to speak with their
loved ones around the globe on Christmas Eve."
Merrill Lynch Christmas Calls began in 1980 as a single event at the
firm's corporate headquarters in New York. Eight employee volunteers and over
100 senior citizens participated. This year, more than 180 Merrill Lynch
offices around the world opened their doors to more than 21,000 seniors.
In 1987 Merrill Lynch Christmas Calls was honored with a Presidential
Award for Private Sector Initiatives, the nation's highest honor recognizing
volunteer service and community outreach programs. Since 1984, the
President's Citation Program has recognized 100 businesses annually, with
70 receiving citations and the top 30 receiving a Presidential Award.
SOURCE Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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http://www.merrilllynch.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/555800.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 555800
CONTACT:
Selena Morris of Merrill Lynch Media
Relations, 212-449-7283, on 12-24-99, 212-670-2255, or
smorris@exchange.ml.com
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