Corporate America Responds to Needs in Haiti

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Jan 21, 2010, 02:57 ET

Generous donations to the American Red Cross are critical to relief efforts in Haiti

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies large and small, representing industries across the United States, have taken action to support their neighbors in Haiti by donating millions of dollars to the American Red Cross and by encouraging their customers and employees to follow suit. This support is making it into the hands of survivors and enabling more help to be on the way.

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The distinguished corporate members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) allow the American Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, ADGP members increased their humanitarian commitment by making additional financial donations to the Red Cross International Response Fund and Haiti earthquake.

Donations of more than $1 million were also made by numerous organizations and foundations in support of Haiti emergency relief and recovery efforts. Additionally, more than 100 companies have launched employee giving campaigns in coordination with the Red Cross.

Thanks to the help of these companies, and the American public, relief materials are being delivered to Haiti. Red Cross workers from around the world, as well as volunteers based in Haiti, are addressing urgent needs and mobilizing a massive response operation in the region. The Red Cross is providing a wide range of help and support in the form of food, water, relief supplies, field hospitals, emotional support, sanitation facilities and family linking services for the people of Haiti. In the days ahead, the American Red Cross will begin to provide supplies for temporary shelters in Haiti. Kits, containing tarps, rope and tools, as well as tents and blankets, will be made available for an initial 20,000 families.

"The generous contributions and support of our corporate partners are critical to the ability of the American Red Cross to provide help and hope for the people of Haiti during their time of need," said Jeffrey Towers, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross. "We are rushing supplies and disaster management staff to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake, and are very grateful the support of these companies for our humanitarian mission."

The American Red Cross would like to recognize the support of Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) members. Beyond their annual commitment, many of them have made additional financial gifts to support Haiti relief. The Red Cross also recognizes companies that have made donations of $1 million to the Haiti relief efforts. (In alphabetical order):

Altria Group, Inc.

American Express

AXA Foundation

ConAgra Foods

ConocoPhillips

FedEx Corporation

GE Foundation

General Motors Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation

John Deere Foundation

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Merck

Morgan Stanley

Nationwide Insurance Foundation

Oprah's Angel Network

Raytheon

Ryder Charitable Foundation

State Farm

State Street Foundation

Target

The Coca-Cola Company

The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Coffee Company

The TJX Companies, Inc.

UnitedHealthcare

UPS

The Red Cross is also grateful to the companies listed below that have provided an opportunity for their customers and the public to support our relief efforts. Collectively, they have created more than 35,000 secure and convenient locations in retail stores and banks where millions of people can make financial donations. Locations are updated daily at www.redcross.org/givehere.

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts

Burlington Coat Factory

Circle K West Coast Division

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Foodtown Supermarkets

Harris Bank

Lowe's Companies Inc.

Rite Aid Corporation

Staples, Inc.

Sterlings Savings Bank

Walgreens

Walmart

Wegmans

Donations in support of the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti can be made at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. Mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross