AIG Ties Charity Money To Mets Homers

NU Online News Service, April 12, 3:10 p.m. EDT?As the New York Mets held their opening day home game yesterday, American International Group announced they will contribute to various youth charities based on the number of homers the team hits at Shea Stadium.[@@]

There were no runs hit by the home team in their 8-4 rout of the Houston Astros yesterday, but AIG said a minimum donation of $250 will be provided even if no Mets home runs are hit during a home series.

The insurer is calling its donations the "AIG Homers For Kids" program to benefit New York-based youth charities.

AIG said it will select a new charity for each of the Mets' 26 home series. During yesterday's opener AIG's designated charity was the New York Police & Fire Widows'& Children's Benefit Fund, Inc.

For the following two home series, AIG will donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and De La Salle Academy, respectively. AIG said it will announce other charities as the season progresses.

In addition to providing $250 for each Mets home run hit at Shea Stadium, the AIG Homers For Kids program will contribute $1,000 to the designated charity each time the Mets hit a grand slam in their home ballpark.

Web links to the selected charities' home pages will be posted on the AIG and New York Mets' Web sites so visitors can learn more about these groups and lend their support to the organizations, the company said.

"The AIG Homers For Kids program is a way for us to highlight and support some of the worthwhile organizations that serve the youth of our community while we celebrate America's pastime," said Steven A. Rautenberg, vice president of communications at AIG. "We are pleased to be working with the New York Mets on this program and look forward to an exciting season."

Last year the team hit 85 homers. If the team does as well this year, it would mean more than $8,000 to charity.

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AIG Ties Charity Money To Mets Homers

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