Gary DeBode, president of Edison Properties, second from left, presented a $5,000 check on April 19 to Christopher Kui, executive director of Asian Americans for Equality, for the Grand Street Fire Fund. At far left is Karen He, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s community liaison, and at far right is Nathaniel Conan, Cathay Bank branch manager. On April 11, a seven-alarm fire at Grand and Eldridge Sts. left one man dead and hundreds of people homeless. The fund was established to help the dislocated residents replace personal documents — including citizenship papers — destroyed in the fire. Citibank, Cathay, HSBC and Chase banks agreed to waive certain fees normally charged for bank documents and safe-deposit keys. To contribute to the fund, people can send a donation, either cash or check (indicate “For Grand Street Fire” in the memo line) payable to Asian Americans for Equality, at 111 Division St., NY, NY 10002. Tax-exempt donations may also be made online via credit card by visiting www.aafe.org and clicking on the “Donate Now” button; write “For Grand Street Fire” in the Dedication text field.
