Taylor Swift Donates $50K From 'Welcome To New York' Song Sales To NYC Schools
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City's official booster Taylor Swift has donated $50,000 to the city's public schools.
The city tourism bureau tapped Swift as "global welcome ambassador" last year even though critics noted she was a recent transplant to New York.
Some also complained that her song "Welcome to New York" from the album "1989" was bland and lifeless.
Swift responded by announcing last October that she would donate proceeds from the single to the city's schools.
"It's selling really, really well, which is good because I'm donating all my proceeds to New York City public schools," she said during an October appearance on "The View."
A spokeswoman for the city Department of Education said Tuesday that Swift has now given $50,000.
Spokeswoman Devora Kaye says the department is "deeply appreciative of this kind gesture." The department told The New York Times the money will go toward SING, the student-run musical production competition among local high schoolers.
A publicist for Swift said the singer will continue to donate additional proceeds she receives from the song to the city's schools.
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