Mars Businesses Unite to Donate $475K to Haiti Relief Efforts

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Jan 20, 2010, 04:39 ET

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars, Incorporated announced today that its business units have committed to donations totaling $475,000 to organizations providing emergency relief and search and rescue services in Haiti following the devastating earthquake which struck last week.

"The hearts of Mars associates around the world go out to the people of Haiti," said Paul S. Michaels, president and chief executive of Mars, Incorporated. "We are pleased that the efforts of our business units will make a difference in the lives of those that have suffered such a tragedy."

Through the combined efforts of Mars' business units, donations will be made to four organizations:

Red Cross - $345,000 will be donated to Red Cross, which is providing critical help to survivors, including food, water, medical care and other essential needs.

Search Dog Foundation - $120,000 will be given to the Search Dog Foundation, an organization sending special dog teams to Haiti to partner with firefighters and other first responders to find and rescue people who may be trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) - $10,000 donated to the AVMF will support critical veterinary services to pets in Haiti, once immediate humanitarian efforts have stabilized.

Humane Society International - Mars is donating pet food product and supplies as part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, which will provide assistance once immediate humanitarian efforts have stabilized.

Mars business units responsible for these contributions include: Mars Caribbean and Central American; Mars Canada; Mars Global Chocolate; Mars Petcare US; The Wrigley Company Foundation; The Nutro Company; and Banfield, The Pet Hospital.

As the emergency relief efforts continue over the coming weeks and months, the Mars businesses are prepared to engage in the long-term recovery efforts, including identifying further in-kind donations.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing over 65,000 associates at more than 230 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's largest food companies, generating global revenues of more than $30 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world's leading brands: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – Banfield, The Pet Hospital, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, ROYAL CANIN®, GREENIES®, and NUTRO®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANEL™ Professional and WISDOM PANEL™ Insights, SERAMIS®, and CirkuHealth.

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated