Ralph Lauren Pledges Millions for Sandy Relief

Fashion designer and Montauk resident Ralph Lauren announced he will be contributing as much as $3 million for the Hurricane Sandy relief effort this week.

On Lauren‘s website, RalphLauren.com, the designer said he and his wife Ricky would be donating $1 million through the Ralph and Ricky Lauren Family Foundation to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City “to help address immediate needs of New Yorkers as well as long-term relief efforts.” Additionally, his company would donate $1 million through the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation to be split between the Robin Hood Relief Fund and American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which he said would help local organizations involved in rebuilding and relief in Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut. Lauren said he has also set up an employee matching program for up to $1 million for the American Red Cross, and he is working closely with local organizations for in-kind donations of clothing and other necessities.

The designer explained, “As a born and bred New Yorker who’s built a business and raised a family here, I’m confident the resilient spirit of our community will triumph, and I’m inspired by how many of you have reached out to the affected areas from across the United States and from around the world.”