Borders to Support Gulf Coast Relief Efforts with Donation; Borders Stores to be Used as Volunteer Information, Education Centers

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders today pledged to support the Gulf Coast oil spill relief efforts by donating 10 percent of customer transactions made this weekend, up to $50,000, to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL). The donation will directly fund the nonprofit organization's work to quickly recruit, educate and mobilize volunteers to help with recovery and restoration efforts. In addition, over the coming days Borders will work directly with the CRCL to recruit volunteers and host educational and informational sessions in select Borders stores.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, June 11 through Monday, June 14, consumers who would like to contribute to the recovery efforts can visit www.bordersmedia.com/coup/crcl.html to download a special Gulf Coast relief voucher. The voucher, which can be redeemed at any Borders, Waldenbooks and Borders Express store nationwide, must be presented at the point of purchase for the customer's transaction to be counted toward the recovery efforts. Borders.com purchases made Friday through Monday using promo code CRCL6114B will also be counted toward the recovery efforts.  

"Our company has a strong sense of community, driven by our employees who demonstrate this daily in their personal lives," said Borders CEO Mike Edwards. "They made their desire to help with relief efforts known, and we mobilized quickly to put together a program to support the efforts of the CRCL. It's gratifying when an entire company can enthusiastically rally around something that helps others and makes a genuine impact on the community and beyond."

"We're thrilled to partner with Borders on a dual-pronged approach to assist us with oil spill recovery efforts along the Louisiana coast," said CRCL Executive Director Steven Peyronnin. "In this difficult time it is encouraging when a company like Borders answers the plea for help and takes action."

Borders enriches the communities it serves through education, entertainment and inspiration. Through its semi-annual book drives, Borders has donated millions of books to charitable causes during the past several years. It also donates items from its stores to local organizations through its partnership with Gifts In Kind International, a leading charitable organization in the product giving field.

About the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) has worked to restore and protect a sustainable coastal Louisiana.  CRCL is comprised of businesses, local governments, industries, scientists, conservation groups and a broad spectrum of concerned citizens who all share a common vision and commitment to Louisiana's coast. Please visit www.CRCL.org for more information.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., through its subsidiaries Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

SOURCE Borders, Inc.