Corporate Partners Support Red Cross Holiday Campaign

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Dec 12, 2012, 11:46 ET

Campaign Urges People to Give Blood, Sign a Card for Military Members or Make a Donation

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Phoenix; Circle K West Coast Division; Community Safety Foundation, funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange and Barneys New York are partnering with the American Red Cross for its holiday campaign to encourage people to donate blood, sign cards for military heroes or make a financial donation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

The 2012 year-end holiday campaign brings together for the first time three Red Cross service campaigns—Holiday Mail for Heroes, Blood and Biomedical Services and Holiday Giving—under a common campaign.

The University of Phoenix; Circle K West Coast Division; Community Safety Foundation, funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange and Barneys New York will provide opportunities for their customers, clients and students to join them in supporting the work of the Red Cross during the holiday season through customer donation programs, donations from the sale of products and signing holiday cards for the troops, veterans and their families.

"When my home was claimed by fire last year, the Red Cross was among the first on-site. They looked after my family when I couldn't be there and offered to help in any way they could. We were fortunate because we only lost 'things' that could be replaced," country superstar Trace Adkins said. "That's not the case for every victim of disaster and that's when the Red Cross steps in. From personal experience, I am supporting the Red Cross and their work to unite families and aid in times of need." Adkins is the Red Cross holiday spokesperson for 2012.

Even after contributing to political campaigns and donating toward Superstorm Sandy relief, people are still planning to open their hearts and wallets to charities this holiday season. According to a recently released Red Cross poll, 90 percent of those who gave to political campaigns still plan to give to charity during the holidays and 78 percent of those who donated to Sandy relief said this will not reduce the amount of money they intend to donate to charity between now and the end of the year.

The Red Cross depends on donations not only during major disasters like Sandy, but every day to provide hope, help and compassion to victims of home fires, military service members and those in need of lifesaving blood. The end of the year is an important season of giving for the Red Cross, and support from official campaign partners is especially vital.

As one part of its holiday campaign, the Red Cross is asking the public to visit the Holiday Giving Catalog at redcross.org/gifts to make a tax-deductible donation in the name of the people on their gift list this year, give blood, send inspirational holiday cards for the brave men and women serving our country or volunteer time to help those in need.

About our Holiday Partners:
During this holiday season, the American Red Cross is grateful for the support of corporate partners that generously contribute to our Holiday Giving Campaign. They include: University of Phoenix, Circle K West Coast Division, and the Community Safety Foundation, funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange. Thanks to the generosity of these and other sponsors, the Red Cross is able to carry out its mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies everyday here and around the world. Each holiday season the Red Cross gives everyone the chance to support our work by giving blood, signing a card for military heroes or buying a gift through our holiday catalog. To support the Red Cross this Holiday Season, visit redcross.org/holiday.

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 skills that save lives; 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 redcross.org or join our blog at blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross