Burlington Coat Factory and Its Customers Raise Over Half A Million for American Red Cross Japan Relief Efforts

BURLINGTON, N.J., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 11 the American Red Cross announced that it has donated nearly $245 million to its Japan Disaster Response and distributed almost 90 percent of those funds to Japan, including money raised by Burlington Coat Factory and its customers.  Burlington Coat Factory announced today it donated $505,051 to the American Red Cross to help those impacted by the March 11th Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami. Burlington began an in-store donation program, providing its customers with an opportunity to donate to help those affected. As a result, more than 233,000 generous Burlington customers contributed an average of $1.73 per donation for a total of $405,051. Burlington Coat Factory generously added $100,000 to bring the final total to $505,051.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110721/CG39269)

Understanding the urgency and magnitude of this humanitarian crisis, Burlington reacted quickly and created an easy way for its customers to donate funds in all 460 of its locations.  Burlington's customers opened their hearts and wallets to help make a difference for those affected by the devastation in Japan.

"Burlington customers have shown remarkable compassion and generosity throughout the years, and it is through their contributions that this extraordinary donation was made possible.  This effort demonstrates how small acts of kindness can have a big impact when we all work together," said Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer of Burlington Coat Factory.  

Burlington Coat Factory selected the Red Cross as the recipient of the donation because of the organization's exemplary track record of helping those in need – both in the United States and around the world.  To date, the Red Cross has raised approximately $264 million for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response.  Specific relief and recovery efforts made possible by these donations include: procurement and distribution of items such as blankets and clothes; emergency healthcare, psychological counseling and emotional support services; water purification and food preparation facilities and critical electrical appliances to outfit 90,000 houses that will help hundreds of thousands of people resume their lives.

In addition to the Red Cross activities in Japan, it has simultaneously coordinated domestic relief efforts needed in the wake of deadly tornadoes and Mississippi River flooding.  Since late March, the Red Cross has launched more than 42 separate relief operations in 29 states. In the past two months, the Red Cross has deployed more than 12,000 Red Cross workers from all 50 states and territories to help those in need, served more than 3 million meals and snacks, and distributed more than 1.3 million items like tarps and work gloves to disaster survivors throughout the U.S.

For more information about the American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.

About Burlington Coat Factory

Burlington Coat Factory is a national retail chain offering brag-worthy merchandise for the entire family and the home with up to 60 percent off department store prices every day. Departments include ladies' sportswear, menswear, family footwear, children's clothing, furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home décor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington Coat Factory was founded in 1972 and has expanded from a single store selling coats, to a multi-department retail chain with more than 460 stores in 44 States and Puerto Rico.  In 2006, Bain Capital purchased Burlington Coat Factory. For more, visit www.BurlingtonCoatFactory.com, and to brag about great finds from Burlington, visit www.BurlingtonBrag.com.

SOURCE Burlington Coat Factory