American Red Cross Recognizes Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation for Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund in Response to California Wildfires

WASHINGTON, Thursday, October 25, 2007 — The American Red Cross today announced that the Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation has generously donated $2 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund allows the Red Cross to provide immediate emergency assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters each year, disasters like the wildfires in Southern California. Additionally, the Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation will match employee contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for up to $1.5 million in support of Red Cross California wildfire relief efforts.

“The American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide support to the victims of the California wildfires,” said Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. “We are grateful for the contributions and support from the Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation and HP employees around the world that make this level of service possible through their kind donations.” 

The Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation's contribution will assist the Red Cross in continuing relief efforts in the devastated areas. As wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, the Red Cross is providing residents, firefighters and first responders with shelter, food, water, clean up and comfort kits, and medical and mental health services. The Red Cross has nearly 3,000 workers on site in Southern California, including volunteers from all 50 states. To date, the Red Cross has provided the following services:

• Opened 24 shelters providing displaced residents with a safe place to stay
• Mobilized tens of thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits, and clean-up supplies
• Volunteers are staffing 75 Emergency Response Vehicles, providing hot meals and snacks to residents, firefighters and first responders
• Red Cross mental health counselors are available to help residents and emergency workers in the affected areas manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters

HP has been a donor to the American Red Cross for more than 20 years. The company has given more than $5.3 million in cash, including a generous $1 million donation to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“HP and its people have a long history of supporting those in need and we are pleased that the Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation is designating relief to the American Red Cross,” said Mark Hurd, chief executive officer and chairman, HP. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this devastation.”

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 thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.