LivingSocial and Its Members Join Forces with The American Red Cross to Aid Relief Efforts in Japan

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LivingSocial, the online source for people to find handpicked experiences at a great value, today announced a US Daily Deal benefiting the American Red Cross. When a LivingSocial member makes a $5 donation, LivingSocial will match that donation up to $1 million.

"This support from LivingSocial and its members is critically important as we work to provide help and hope to survivors of the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami," said Michael J. Brown, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Giving at the American Red Cross.

LivingSocial's international markets will continue working with GlobalGiving to aid relief efforts in Japan. GlobalGiving is helping trusted organizations like International Medical Corps, Save the Children and others on the ground providing immediate support to people in need.

"We talk about the power of the LivingSocial platform for merchants all the time," said Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO and co-founder of LivingSocial. "We have an opportunity to leverage the power of our 24 million members by matching their contributions to make a difference for those in need in Japan."

Those who want to help can visit livingsocial.com/redcross and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support disaster relief efforts helping those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific crisis, contributions are used to prepare for and service victims of other crises.

The American Red Cross has already made a $10 million commitment to the Japanese Red Cross for the response, and expects in the coming weeks to make additional contributions to support the humanitarian response. Donations received from American Red Cross and other Red Cross partners will aid Japan's relief and recovery efforts through the Japanese Red Cross and possibly other organizations as experts on the ground determine the best way forward. Donations received by the Japanese Red Cross from people within Japan will be pooled and managed by an independent grant disbursement committee, which will include the Japanese Red Cross. The grants will be disbursed in installments in order to responsibly and effectively respond to the country's evolving relief and recovery needs.

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial adds surprise to every calendar with handpicked daily deals you can share with friends. Members enjoy at least 50% off on the coolest, local experiences. Local business owners get an easy and cost effective marketing tool to attract new, loyal customers. In 2010, one of the fastest growing companies in the space expanded with LivingSocial Escapes offering a "vacation in a box" for easy weekend trips at great value. Based in Washington, DC, the international brand and has saved more than 24 million subscribers over $311 million in +200 markets worldwide. Please visit www.livingsocial.com for additional information.  For a full list of markets where LivingSocial is live or to sign up your location, go to http://www.livingsocial.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/livingsocial.

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 LivingSocial