Red Cross and Boise Paper Partner to Help Communities Prepare for Disasters

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Sep 01, 2016, 09:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of Preparedness Month in September, the American Red Cross and Boise Paper, a division of Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), have joined forces to launch Pledge to Prepare, a campaign to reach people across the country with three simple steps they can take to get prepared before a disaster strikes: Make a Pledge, Make a Plan, and Make a Kit.

Pledge to Prepare transforms disaster preparedness planning into a quick, easy and effective process through turnkey tools including an interactive online pledge, mobile app resources, a preparedness kit building video, and a special edition carton of Boise^® X-9^® Multi-Use Copy Paper that can be repurposed as a preparedness kit.

Individuals can commit to preparedness by signing the pledge to prepare at Redcross.org/pledge. Once they have taken the pledge, they will be provided with easy-to-follow information on how to plan for a disaster, such as packing an emergency preparedness kit, picking a family emergency meeting location and downloading a Red Cross preparedness app.

"Disasters and emergencies can happen at any moment," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We're extremely grateful for our meaningful partnership with Boise Paper, who is working alongside the Red Cross to encourage its employees and community members to plan ahead and ensure they are prepared with the essential items and information needed to get through a crisis."

Boise Paper is also a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). ADGP members pledge donations on an ongoing basis, in advance of major disasters, to ensure the Red Cross can respond immediately to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes—from wildfires to home fires. Boise Paper's generous donation of paper helps the Red Cross reduce our spending freeing up valuable funds that can be redirected to critical humanitarian needs.

"Making Paper with Purpose means we care about the communities our customers and employees call home," says Paul LeBlanc, Vice President of Boise Paper. "Through our partnership with the Red Cross, we're able to positively impact those local communities in times of need. And because we're the number one selling paper brand in the U.S., our products are uniquely positioned to spread the word about emergency preparedness."

Every eight minutes the Red Cross responds to a disaster, bringing help and hope to people who have been impacted by disasters big and small. Through the Pledge to Prepare campaign, Boise Paper will provide preparedness training to its employees and include preparedness messaging on their top-selling X-9 paper encouraging people to understand potential risks and how to prepare for emergencies.

To be a part of this preparedness campaign, take the first step and make the pledge. Once you've made your pledge, you can make your plan, build a kit, and take additional steps by downloading one or more Red Cross preparedness apps. If you would like to support Red Cross disaster relief efforts, you can make a financial donation here.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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 not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Boise Paper:
Boise Paper is a division of Packaging Corporation of America, headquartered in Lake Forest, IL. Boise Paper manufactures a full line of quality papers including imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, and papers used in packaging, such as label and release papers. Through its Paper with Purpose® promise, Boise Paper commits to delivering excellent value while sustaining environmental, economic, and social resources for future generations. Keep current with news and events at www.BoisePaper.com.

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SOURCE American Red Cross