In response to the devastation of Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances, The Wal-Mart/SAM'S CLUB Foundation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist in relief efforts for victims of the two recent hurricanes.
"Support from our philanthropic donors and individual Americans has allowed us to move in supplies and workers to mount an instantaneous and expansive disaster operation in response to this second devastating hurricane which came on the heels of Hurricane Charley," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "It is only through the generosity and leadership of companies like Wal-Mart that we can meet these extraordinary needs."
Despite the fact that Hurricane Frances weakened slightly as it reached Florida, the slow movement of the storm across the state and into the Gulf of Mexico and Florida panhandle has compounded the adverse weather conditions with prolonged destructive wind and rain causing greater flooding of neighborhoods Ð many already battered by Hurricane Charley just a few weeks ago. The Red Cross response to Frances has been the largest pre-positioning and mobilization of resources for a natural disaster in the organization's history. While this allows the Red Cross to rush relief to those affected, it is anticipated that the cost could be even greater than the response to Hurricane Charley.
"Wal-Mart strives to have a positive impact in every community it serves," said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart. "Clearly, the devastation left behind in the aftermath of the hurricanes has left many people suffering. The associates in our stores are doing what they can to assist in the recovery efforts, donating needed supplies and manpower within their home areas.The Wal-Mart/SAM'S CLUB Foundation is pleased to make this gift to the Red Cross and hopes that it will spread a broad-based blanket of relief to those people in need following the storms."
Donors can help today by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org to make a financial contribution to Red Cross relief efforts. Those who have been affected by the disaster can get help by calling 1-866-GET-INFO.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUBS in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina and South Korea. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Last year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., contributed more than $150 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. Customers and associates raised an additional $70 million at stores and clubs.
About the American Red Cross All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of these hurricanes and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emergency medication, counseling, and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org
