Lilly Surpasses United Way 2011 Campaign Goal

Company's employees, retirees, Foundation commit largest gift in the history of the company -- $12.3 million

News provided by

Nov 08, 2011, 08:00 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John Lechleiter Ph.D. today will present a $12.3 million check to the United Way. The check represents the contributions of Lilly's U.S. employees and retirees and a matching gift amount from the Lilly Foundation. The funds were raised for the Central Indiana chapter and other United Way chapters' 2011 fundraising campaigns. Lilly's gift locally represents 25 percent of the United Way of Central Indiana's 2011 annual campaign goal.

"Seldom have the needs of our communities been more urgent than they are today," said Lechleiter. "Our neighbors needed our help, and Lilly employees, retirees, and the Lilly Foundation rose to the occasion. Lilly is proud to support the United Way and all of its agencies."

Lilly's annual United Way campaign broke the company's previous record, $12 million, and was $800,000 above the 2011 donation goal. Lilly recognized some 100 volunteers at a luncheon held at the Baxter YMCA.

"Despite many challenges we face today at Lilly, our company and our employees showed the same commitment to our communities as did our founder, Colonel Eli Lilly -- who led the very first community-wide relief efforts in the late 1800s," Lechleiter noted. "Once again they stepped up in a very tough economic climate, and I deeply appreciate their generosity."

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com. C-LLY

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company