On January 13, 2019, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund (“Relief Fund”) directly handed out $1,000 Payoneer® prepaid cards to approximately 4,000 families in Puerto Rico who are still recovering after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island.
More than 200 volunteers from Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliate companies BGC Partners and Newmark Knight Frank, along with New York community volunteers and clients from Banco Santander and Scotiabank, distributed $4 million at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Relief Fund worked directly with the office of Carmen Yulin Cruz, San Juan Mayor, to organize the effort and identify the families in need.
“This was a day of healing for hundreds of families. What Cantor Fitzgerald did was much more than providing much needed financial assistance, they gave these families hope and respect. Moreover, they told us with a humbling attitude that they shared in our pain and in the commitment that we will overcome this challenging period. Words cannot begin to express the gratitude we feel towards such a beautiful gesture of kindness,” said Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz.
“Puerto Rican families have endured tremendous hardship since the hurricanes, and we are honored to be able to help and be a part of the recovery process,” said Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and BGC Partners, Inc. “Providing financial support directly to families and being able to speak with the parents and children is extremely humbling and heartening.”
“It’s so important to not forget those affected when time has passed,” added Edie Lutnick, President of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund. “The Relief Fund was formed out of the 9/11 tragedy, enabling us to continue to provide financial aid directly to the families of the Cantor Fitzgerald employees who were sadly lost that day. As we expanded the Relief Fund to directly help victims of natural disasters, we want to remind our neighbors in Puerto Rico that they are still in our hearts and minds as they continue their recovery efforts.”
Allison Lutnick, Director of Disaster Relief Operations, Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund said, “As soon as we learned about the unimaginable destruction caused by the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, we immediately started planning our family relief program. This incredible effort was a year-and-a-half in the making, and to see it come to fruition by directly providing financial assistance to approximately 4000 young families in need was such a meaningful experience for the 200 volunteers involved, and one that will remain forever in our hearts and minds.”
The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund sincerely thanks the following individuals and companies for their generosity and support: John Paulson, David J. Barger, United Airlines, Payoneer®, Serafina Beach Hotel, MultiVu, Print Icon, Scarborough & Tweed, BLS Limousine Service, Jacks & Jokers, and KAUFMANFRANCO.
