Cincinnati Reds Press Release:
Wife of Cincinnati Reds Second Baseman, Rich Aurilia, to Donate CD Profits for Hurricane Relief

CINCINNATI -- Music is about healing. It has the power to soothe broken souls, especially in times of crisis and tragedy. In the wake of the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, Raquel Aurilia, wife of Cincinnati Reds second baseman Rich Aurilia, has decided to go beyond simply donating funds for hurricane relief.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, a copy of Raquel's CD single, "The Need," will be given to the first 300 people at Great American Ball Park who donate $5 or more to survivors of the natural disaster that has left people in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi either dead or homeless. "We wanted to help in some way, to not only seek help from others, but to give people a little something in return. Music is so therapeutic, and by sharing the song 'The Need' with others, maybe it will leave them with a sense of hope when there are so many devastating things going on in the world today," Raquel said.

 Her husband Rich Aurilia explained that, "this seemed to be a good way to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina because the song has a specific message, to keep your faith." Donations can be made at the Reds Community Fund Booth, located at Terrace Level Concourse/Gapper's Alley, Section 118 at Great American Ball Park, beginning at 6 p.m. during Saturday's game. In addition, Reds wives will be walking through the ballpark to collect funds. All of the money will be given to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

An emotionally uplifting piano-driven ballad, "The Need" offers a ray of sunlight in dark days. Raquel hopes that the track will provide people with a sense of comfort, something to help alleviate the pain of loss and the shock of unspeakable horrors that hurricane survivors and their loved ones are trying to pull themselves through. "To see what these people have not only been through, but are still going through, breaks my heart," Raquel said. Aiding Raquel in her fundraising efforts will be other Reds wives such as Gina Cruz and Mandi Casey. "By doing this fundraiser, we want 'The Need' to send a message of hope and let everyone know that in this time of tragedy, they are not alone," Cruz stated. Casey added that, "Hearing the song, 'The Need,' to me, reflects what others may be feeling at a time like this."