Philadelphia, PA (June 29, 2015) – The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), in collaboration with Philadelphia Latino business, civic and religious leaders, today announced the official launch of its new initiative entitled the Latino Papal Fund, a mobile giving platform and donation website to raise contributions for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. With a $45 million dollar fundraising goal for the World Meeting of Families Congress (September 22-25) and Papal Visit (September 26-27), the GPHCC called for commitment and support of the Latino community through contributing either via mobile giving by texting PAPAFUND to 56512* or online at http://LatinoPapalFund.org. Donations are tax deductible and messaging and data rates may apply.

“Latinos are actively preparing their families and their communities for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and for the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Philadelphia,” said Varsovia Fernandez, President and CEO of the GPHCC and Board Member of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “We want to further pronounce the unique Latino affection for our Pope by gathering funds to secure the success of this once in a lifetime experience on behalf of Latinos everywhere – including our families overseas that are unable to share in this experience.”

The Latino Fund aspires to create a ripple across the fabric of the Latino community with the goal of engaging 100,000 Hispanics to donate a contribution of $5 per person, which will generate a significant contribution to the World Meeting of Families. This type of giving would assert the full commitment of Latinos to this historic visit. The Latino Papal Fund initiative will span from June 29, 2015 until September 30, 2015, and the contributions raised will then be donated, on behalf of the Latino community, to the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, the independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization charged with planning and executing September’s event.

About the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting the advancement and economic growth of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the greater Philadelphia region. It accomplishes this through educational programs, and a broad range of services and special events. The GPHCC proactively serves a diverse membership-consisting of entrepreneurs, Latino businesses, Latino professionals, corporations and government-with the overriding goal of helping these critical constituencies capitalize on the many opportunities their diversity, enhanced by our Latino multicultural mix, offers.

About World Meetings of Families:

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

*A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. User must be age 18 or older or have parental permission to participate. By texting YES, the user agrees to the terms and conditions. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. Message & Data Rates May Apply. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to short code 56512, Text HELP to 56512 for help. Privacy Policy: http://mobilegiving.org/privacy/default.aspx.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747