NEW YORK, Dec. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrill Lynch today opened its doors 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
reaches out to more than 16,000 senior citizens.
"With so many seniors unable to be with their families for the holidays,
Christmas Calls is a gift we look forward to giving each year," said Merrill
Lynch Chairman and CEO David H. Komansky. "Christmas Calls reflects the
spirit of hundreds of Merrill Lynch employees around the globe who volunteer
their time to this wonderful event."
At Merrill Lynch World Headquarters at the World Financial Center
(225 Liberty Street), 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 36 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.
"Each year out volunteers are so pleased to see the joy we are able to
provide the senior citizens of our community," said Edward L. Goldberg,
Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch. "It is a terrific event that
really gets the community into the holiday spirit."
Approximately 600 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 was
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 Day."
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 170 Merrill Lynch
offices in the U.S. and 8 international branches are opening their doors to
more than 16,000 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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CONTACT:
Susan Thomson of Merrill Lynch Media
Relations, 212-236-9588, on Dec. 25, 1998
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