This is for you, pork chop, I thought this was an appropriate example
Canadians rally around New York
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered the message, says Senator Jerry Grafstein, "but the wakeup call, that came from my wife."
After days of wondering how best to show solidarity and support for Americans in the wake of September 11, Senator Grafstein was at the end of his rope. His original idea, a mass rally and benefit concert, had already been done. His next suggestion, to stage an event in New York, was being dismissed as counterproductive.
"That's when Mayor Giuliani made his magnificent speech to the United Nations, inviting those who wished to help America to come enjoy New York and help get things back to normal. And that's when my wife, Carole, said to me, 'Stop moping about this. Let's get some volunteers.'"
A few days and a few volunteers later, the Canada Loves New York day had been born. First to step forward, Senator Grafstein recalls, was a handful of leaders from Toronto's health and arts communities. "They all enthusiastically endorsed the idea," he says, "then they went out and organized a non-stop committee and set up an office."
Others were soon on board. Newspaper publishers agreed to run full-page ads promoting the event. An advertising firm volunteered to handle the ad work. Television and radio executives offered free airtime. Canadian celebrities and sports stars, in Canada and in the United States, spoke in support of the day. Street media and elevator and bus signs were quickly donated. When a volunteer suggested running a promotional ad in a movie theatre, a theatre executive not only volunteered to translate the commercial into film but said he would ensure that it was released at the same time as the popular Harry Potter film. Another volunteer thought it would be a good idea to contribute a fire van to the New York Fire Department to replace one of those lost in the attack. The Committee got together and obtained one.
A date was also set. The commitee decided that the weekend of November 30 would become the Canada Loves New York Weekend.
Getting people to New York
"Of course, it was important that we make it easy for Canadians to get to New York," Senator Grafstein recalls. "When we approached Air Canada, they generously came up with a package for Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. When people in other cities like Vancouver and Halifax heard about the idea, Air Canada added more special rates." Similar reductions were offered by hotel chains and bus companies.
"Everyone said 'yes,' Senator Grafstein says.
Across Canada and the United States, the Canada Loves New York Weekend gained momentum. But as the weekend approached, Senator Grafstein acknowledges, the committee did not know what to expect or even how to calculate how many people would come. "We simply had no way of predicting."
A highlight of the weekend was to be the presentation of the fire van to Mayor Giuliani and the chief of the New York City Fire Department. The site of the ceremony would be the historic Roseland Ballroom on 52 nd Street. That's where Senator Grafstein was on the morning of December 1. "The lineup of Canadians started at 9 a.m. on 52 nd Street," he says, "then streamed along a number of streets in the area. By the time the rally got under way, an estimated 26,000 Canadians had converged around the Roseland for the rally."
Canadians were everywhere in New York that weekend. "They had come from as far away as Whitehorse and Newfoundland to show their support. And even though many did not even get close to the Roseland, not one complained."
Senator Grafstein says he will forever remember the incredible outpouring of support for our American neighbours. "As I told Mayor Giuliani, all you have to do is ask Canadians to do the right thing and then move out of the way."
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