Corporate Leaders Help American Red Cross Comfort Victims Of Southern California Wildfires

American Red Cross
Friday, 14 November 2003

Annual Disaster Giving Program Members Support Red Cross Disaster Efforts

In response to the devastation caused by wildfires in southern California, the American Red Cross is continuing to assist residents and relief workers who have been affected by the deadly inferno. 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.

These immediate emergency services are made possible by the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In order to respond to anyone with disaster-caused needs whenever and wherever a disaster occurs, the Red Cross must have money available immediately. Twenty-five leading U.S. organizations support Red Cross disaster relief efforts by making long-term financial commitments to the Disaster Relief Fund through the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). These financial commitments help ensure that funding is available whenever and wherever disasters strike.

"By being members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program and contributing to the stability of the Disaster Relief Fund, these corporate leaders are demonstrating a commitment to communities all across America," said Skip Seitz, senior vice president of Growth and Integrated Development, American Red Cross. "The Red Cross is grateful for all of our ADGP members and corporate partners who help our organization provide shelter, food and counseling immediately to those in need. The people of California are facing a difficult time right now and the Red Cross is able to be there, assisting Californians because of the support of our generous donors."

The following ADGP members gave support for the Red Cross efforts over and above their annual Disaster Relief Fund gift or designated part of their annual gift to the Southern California Wildfires relief effort:

• AT&T contributed an additional $55,000 to the Disaster Relief Fund, designated $45,000 of their annual contribution to the wildfires and held an employee campaign for which they matched up to $10,000.
• American Express Foundation designated $100,000 to the Red Cross Southern California Wildfire relief effort.
• Citigroup Foundation designated $50,000 to the Red Cross Southern California Wildfire relief effort.
• JCPenney contributed an additional $30,000 to the Southern California Wildfire relief effort.
• Lowe's Companies, Inc. launched a customer donation program in 62 of its California and Arizona locations with an additional matching gift of $25,000 to the Disaster Relief Fund. Lowe's and NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jimmie Johnson also participated in "Racing for Relief" to generate funds for the Disaster Relief Fund. Lowe's donated $100,000 at the beginning of the Checker Auto Parts 500 in Phoenix, Arizona, and for every lap that Johnson completed, donated an additional $48 - totaling $114,976.
• Merck & Co. gave an additional $100,000 to support Red Cross relief efforts in southern California.
• State Farm California donated an additional $50,000 to the Red Cross Southern California Wildfires relief effort.
• Target Stores contributed $20,000 to the Southern California Wildfires relief effort and Target Corporation designated $20,000 of their annual contribution. A donation of $100,000 worth of baby product was also made at the request of American Red Cross.

Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program include:

American Express Foundation
AT&T
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Cisco Systems Foundation
Citigroup Foundation
Computer Associates International, Inc.
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Delta Air Lines
FedEx Corporation
Food Lion, LLC
JCPenney
Kmart Corporation
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Morgan Stanley
Nationwide Insurance
Raytheon Company
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sony Corporation of America
State Farm ®
Steelcase Foundation
Sun Microsystems
Target Corporation (including Marshall Field's, Mervyn's and Target Stores)
Woodmen of the World / Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free and relies on donations of time and money from the American people. Due to the extraordinary generosity of the public, the American Red Cross believes that current contributions and pledges in response to the Southern California Wildfires, when received, will be sufficient to cover the estimated costs of the Red Cross efforts in that area. However, there is still an urgent need to replenish the depleted Disaster Relief Fund, which ensures, just as it did in Southern California, that help is immediately available in every community across the United States. You can continue to support the American Red Cross by contributing to your local chapter or the Disaster Relief Fund.

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