Retailers And Banks Nationwide Let Customers Know “Your Help Counts” For Red Cross Disaster Relief

American Red Cross
Friday, 7 November 2003

Program enables Official Cash Donation Sites and customers to support disaster victims

In response to the devastation caused by wildfires in Southern California, nearly 15,000 retail stores and banks nationwide are showing their support of American Red Cross disaster relief efforts by making it easy for their customers to pitch in as well. Through the "Your Help Counts" customer donation program, customers at participating locations can make cash donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide immediate emergency assistance to the victims of everything from house fires to severe storms to damaging wildfires like the one burning in southern California. Disaster victims need essential items right away, such as food, shelter and mental health counseling. In order to respond to anyone with disaster-caused needs whenever and wherever a disaster occurs, the Red Cross must have money available immediately. The Disaster Relief Fund is the conduit through which the American people express their compassion through generous donations that are used to support the relief effort and the victims of current and future disasters.

"In times of disaster, Americans look for ways to help. The support of our partnering retailers and banks is outstanding." said Terry Sicilia, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Programs and Services, American Red Cross. "By enabling people to make donations, retailers and banks demonstrate their commitment to the community and leadership among the business world."

McDonald's Corporation generously donated $100,000 and more than 30,000 meals to disaster victims and firefighters. Ronald McDonald House Charities concluded collecting customer donations today in more than 800 southern California McDonald's locations and also donated $100,000 for disaster relief efforts. The following retailers and banks continue serving as Red Cross Official Cash Donation Sites where members of the public, during their everyday errands, can conveniently make a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund:

7-Eleven is collecting customer donations in its 700 participating locations in southern California through December, in addition to donating urgently-needed water through the Red Cross for the victims of the wildfires.

Citibank branches in 400 locations throughout California and Nevada are offering customers the opportunity to make a contribution to support the disaster relief work of the Red Cross. Citibank's parent company, Citigroup, has also made a $50,000 gift to the Red Cross wildfire relief efforts.

Coinstar coin-counting machines, located in 9,000 grocery stores nationwide are accepting donations for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, just as they do 365 days per year as part of a long-time partnership.

General Growth Properties is collecting donations in six malls throughout California - Chula Vista Center, Galleria at Tyler, Glendale Galleria, Montclair Plaza, Moreno Valley and Northridge Fashion Center through November 16. The malls will also be hosting Red Cross blood drives.

Lowe's and Jimmie Johnson contributed $114,640 through Racing for Relief at the Phoenix Winston Cup race on November 1. Lowe's is also matching customer donations up to $25,000 in its 62 California and Arizona locations and donated cost-reducing product for the relief efforts.

Neighborhood Postal Centers' 1,600 nationwide locations are collecting customer donations during the month of December. Participating centers can be located by zip code at www.neighborhoodpostal.com or by calling 866-FIND-NPC.

Smith's Food & Drug Stores, a loyal "Your Help Counts" member, is collecting donations in 29 locations in Las Vegas, Pahrump and Mesquite, Nevada as well as St George, Utah, until November 15.

Walgreen's has donated $50,000 to the Disaster Relief Fund and is selling Red Cross squares for in-store display in its 300+ stores throughout California through December 12.

Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB donated $300,000 to support Red Cross relief efforts. They also contributed merchandise for relief shelters and are collecting donations in southern California store locations through next week.

Washington Mutual gave a generous $250,000 lead gift to the Disaster Relief Fund to jumpstart its customer donation program in its 2,700 locations.

Wells Fargo made a charitable $250,000 gift to the southern California wildfires relief operation and is also running an on-line customer donation program for the Disaster Relief Fund for its millions of visitors at www.wellsfargo.com.
Since the wildfires began, the Red Cross has opened 41 shelters housing more than 6,350 individuals who were forced to flee their homes. Tending to their needs are more than 6,600 trained Red Cross volunteers, providing food, emotional support, medication replacement and other vital assistance. In the coming weeks as communities begin the healing process, the Red Cross will continue to provide this vital assistance.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org