The AROD Family Foundation, founded by Alex Rodriguez and his wife, Cynthia, supports mental health, education and quality-of-life programs for children and families in distress. Among its many activities, the AROD Family Foundation organizes youth basketball tournaments, funds scholarships and a baseball stadium remodeling at the University of Miami, and produces events for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami.

Rubenstein Public Relations sought to raise the profile of the foundation to attract donors and strategic partners. We focused on planning high-profile events to generate media and donor interest.

To promote the foundation, RPR arranged for Alex to read his children’s book, Out of the Ballpark, at world-famous Fifth Avenue toy store FAO Schwarz. FAO Schwarz donated the proceeds of all books sold and autographed during the signing period to the AROD Family Foundation. Following the reading, both the Foundation and FAO Schwarz, also an RPR client, received media coverage in local, national and international print and broadcast media outlets.

For the Foundation’s first-ever charity fashion show, RPR forged strategic partnerships with important designers, arranged the time and location of the event, provided event production support and handled media relations activities. The event, a luncheon/fashion show held on the first day of fall Fashion Week 2007, showcased the spring 2008 line of Miami-based designer Nicolas Felizola and featured hair and makeup by Paul Labrecque, and jewelry by Graff Diamonds. Alex and Cynthia hosted the exclusive, 100-person luncheon and fashion show at the elegant East Side restaurant Daniel. Event coverage included The New York Post, The New York Daily News, Women’s Wear Daily, AOL Stylist, Univision and Fashionledge.com.