The Garden City Community Fund - Family Relief Fund, which was established specifically to benefit Garden City families affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy, has received overwhelming support from residents and businesses, Bob Cole, immediate past president, Garden City Community Fund (GCCF), said. To date, almost $50,000 has been raised.

Garden City has united to help their fellow neighbors by donating time and money. Children are holding various fund-raising events, including lemonade and popcorn sales, high school car washes and fund raising at athletic events. Families have donated funds from their canceled block parties. Additional donations from a university golf tournament, a newspaper special ad edition and local restaurants will add to the success of the Family Relief Fund. Specifically, Waterzooi and Victory, two village restaurants, are planning fund raisers and Adelphi University recently held a golf outing. In addition, Garden City's annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot will be donating a portion of this year's revenue to the Family Relief Fund.

NY Power and U.S. Olympian Tiffeny Milbrett took time out of her schedule to sign autographs last Saturday afternoon at St. Paul's. All the proceeds from this event, which total more than $4,000, will also go toward the GCCF Family Relief Fund. Milbrett, a leading scorer for the WUSA (women's soccer), signed pictures, soccer uniforms, balls, posed for pictures for two hours.

The Garden City High School held a car wash on Saturday from 10 to 3 p.m. to benefit the GC Family Relief Fund. The high school football team wore the number of a former student athlete who is missing during last Saturday's game. Welcome Wagon is joining the efforts. MTV is expected to be in town with Cole, covering various fund-raising events.

The GCCF, the Garden City Historical Society and the village trustees have announced that the biggest fund-raising event for the Family Relief Fund is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26, at St. Paul's Field House from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The Breeders' Cup Garden City Community Fund - Family Relief Fund Benefit could generate up to $100,000 in donations. The New York Racing Association-sponsored event will include fine food, beverage and music, all of which is being donated from village businesses.

"Each day someone or some village organization is asking how they can support the Family Relief Fund," Matt Cody, president, GCCF, said. "Everyone wants to do something to help our many neighbors who have suffered from this tragic event." Cody said that anyone or organization that would like to help should call the GCCF office at 747-4603. The Fund thanks all of those who made the event possible - residents, NY Power and the Garden City Centennials, who donated the soccer balls Milbrett signed.

For Tickets: Breeders' Cup Fund-raising Benefit tickets are $100. Please make checks payable to GCCF-Family Relief Fund BENEFIT.

For Donations: To make donations to the Family Relief Fund please make checks payable to: GCCF-Family Relief Fund.

Tickets and donations should be mailed to The GCCF - Family Relief Fund, P.O. Box 235. Garden City NY 11530. Please indicate on envelope "Benefit" if tickets are being requested.