Yank Barry delivering food to refugee camps in BulgariTo date he’s been a savior for 1,218 Muslim and Christian refugees who have fled the violence and volatility in their home countries of Syria, Iran and Iraq.
To date he’s been a savior for 1,218 Muslim and Christian refugees who have fled the violence and volatility in their home countries of Syria, Iran and Iraq.
Yank Barry is Jewish and a successful international Canadian businessman and philanthropist who at one time was best known as the lead singer of The Kingsmen which produced the pop culture classic ‘Louie, Louie.’
Today Barry, both as an individual and as the co-founder of not-for-profit Global Village Champions Foundation (GVCF), focuses a lot of his attention on relieving the plight of refugees fleeing oppression and landed in nearby Bulgaria seeking safety and shelter.
At a news conference in Bulgaria, Nikolay Chirpanliev, president of the State Refugee Agency in Bulgaria, praised Barry through a translator.
“[Barry and GVCF] have focused their efforts in helping those who need help the most: Sick people, families with lots of kids, those traumatized by war and lost relatives,” said Chirpanliev.
Locals in Bulgaria have dubbed Barry the “Jewish Schindler,” a term picked up by The Jerusalem Post.
During World War II, Oskar Schindler, who was not Jewish, saved 1,200 Jews from death at the hands of the Nazis.
Barry, while aware of the comparisons, does not equate himself to Schindler, but says the number of 1,218 is significant.
“Eighteen in Hebrew means life, that is life to 1,218 people,” said Barry.
Barry is accountable for each refugee released into the care of GVCF, guaranteeing they become contributing members of Bulgarian society. He agrees to provide essentials such as food, shelter, clothing and health care coverage; but also gives extras like toys for the children, language classes and opportunities for adults. Barry’s mission is to give each person in exile a chance to rebuild their lives.
Barry and his not-for-profit are also supplying the daily food needs for the more than 5,000 refugees in seven Bulgarian camps.
“I see a great ally who considers our problem [Barry’s] own,” added Chipanliev. “Nobody else has done this much to help Bulgaria in this crisis; we can’t be thankful enough.”
About Global Village Champions Foundation: Started in 1995 by Yank Barry, Global Village Champions Foundation strives to become the undisputed world leader in private, humanitarian delivery of nutrition to needy persons across the globe, while sustaining human life and helping to eradicate hunger from the face of the Earth. With the help of donors and notable figures such as Muhammad Ali, Gary US Bonds, and Evander Holyfield, the nonprofit has provided nearly a billion meals to the hungry around the world.
Learn more about Global Village Champions Foundation: http://www.gogvc.com.
Electronic Press Kit: http://thepublicityagency.com/pr-client-global-village-champions-foundation/ and http://thepublicityagency.com/yank-barry/
MEDIA CONTACT
Glenn Selig
PR firm: The Publicity Agency
Email:
Phone: 813-708-1220 x7777 | Cell: 813-300-5454
For corporate and partnership inquiries and ways to help, please contact:
Audra McMurray
Global Village Champions Foundation
Director of Marketing and Communications
Cell: (941) 524-1484
SOURCE: Global Village Champions Foundation
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