Businesses Provide Simple Ways for the Public to Support American Red Cross Services to the Men and Women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their Families

Despite an end to major combat in Iraq, American Red Cross support of U.S. troops and their families continues. For American service members, the Red Cross is a lifeline, assisting more than 1,100 military families daily with urgent messages regarding a serious illness, death of a loved one or the joyous birth of a child. In addition to keeping families connected, American Red Cross workers in the states as well as those who are deployed, living and working alongside U.S. troops, provide other assistance and comfort as well.

• Major Gifts Provide Funds to Assist American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services

• Corporate Bulk Donations of Comfort Items Provide a Piece of Home to Troops

The following corporations are supporting American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) efforts and providing a convenient way for their employees and / or customers to do the same. Gifts through the following donation programs will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to American service men and women located throughout the world.

• BloomsEtc. will donate 10 percent of the sales price of each "America's Bravest" bouquet sold during April to AFES.

• Visitors to Food Lion stores can add a donation for AFES to their grocery bills any time between now and May 24. Dubbed "Operation Family Support," 100 percent of donations, plus an additional 10 percent from Food Lion, will be used to purchase Food Lion gift cards that the American Red Cross will distribute to military families depending on their need.

• Nextel Communications is raising funds for AFES through an innovative program called DONATE A PHONE® and by running a customer donation program in all of their 400-plus retail stores nationwide now through December 31, 2003.

• Consumers can participate in the DONATE A PHONE® program by taking their old wireless phones, regardless of carrier, make or model, to any Nextel store. On average, the recycling of each phone will contribute $1.50 to support AFES. Cash donations to benefit AFES may also be made at registers in the stores.

Priceless Jewelry

• The Connect-A-Coin Project was inspired by members of our military and their commitment to defending our freedom and keeping us "connected" as a country, just as the American Red Cross keeps them connected to their families while separated. For each coin purchased, Priceless Jewelry will donate 50 cents to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services.

• Washington Mutual made a $10,000 donation and launched a customer donation program to benefit AFES. The corporation will match up to $10,000 in customer donations made at its banks and Internet site to benefit AFES. Contributions from Washington Mutual employees will also be matched 100 percent.
• To further assist military families, Washington Mutual is waiving ATM fees, foreign wire transfer fees, monthly online banking fees, and early withdraw penalty on Certificates of Deposit.

The following businesses already completed fund-raising campaigns to benefit American Red Cross services to military members and their families. We are grateful for their assistance and the support of their employees and customers.

• Bob Evans donated 50 cents to AFES for every kid’s meal purchased on April 24. The promotion raised nearly $11,000 for American Red Cross services to military members and their families.

• ChoicePoint ran an employee donation campaign from March 24 through April 18, and matched contributions with a corporate gift. The campaign raised $17,000 for AFES.