American Red Cross of RI

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ROBIN ERICKSON
Director of Communications

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Wednesday, September 8, 2004
CVS/pharmacy donates $25,000 to American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts

On Wednesday, at a press conference for this Sunday's CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5K, CVS/pharmacy announced that it will donate $25,000 from this year's proceeds to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Their donation will benefit relief efforts in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

From left: RI Red Cross CEO Daniel Samborn and Jack Kramer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Relations for CVS/pharmacy.

"With more than 600 stores in the State of Florida, CVS experienced firsthand the devastation caused by the recent hurricanes there," said Jack Kramer, Race Chairman for the CVS Downtown 5K. "As a charitable event, the CVS Downtown 5K is in a unique and timely position to provide assistance to the communities that have been impacted by these storms."

For Hurricane Charley alone, the American Red Cross estimates the cost of their relief efforts at $50 million. Totals for Hurricane Frances are still being tallied and are expected to be higher. Shelter operations for Hurricanes Charley and Frances are the largest for the State of Florida in American Red Cross history. Thousands of Red Cross volunteers are in Florida providing assistance. Hundreds of thousands have been sheltered and fed by the Red Cross. This is made possible through generous donations from local partners, such as CVS/pharmacy. The American Red Cross is not a government agency and receives no federal funding. They rely on the public to support their programs and services.

"We are so thankful to CVS/pharmacy for their generosity," said Daniel Samborn, CEO of the RI Red Cross. "It is impossible for us to raise the funds necessary for a large scale disaster such as this without local corporations stepping up to help."

Last month, CVS/pharmacy donated $10,000 worth of vouchers to the American Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Charley. The vouchers were used to purchase water, toiletries and other items needed to help get residents back on their feet. CVS/pharmacy is a tremendous supporter of local Red Cross programs as well.

"We couldn't do our work without remarkable community partners such as CVS," stated Samborn.

The RI Red Cross typically spends $1,000 per family of four that it assists. All Red Cross assistance is free , thanks to contributions from individuals and organizations. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on private donations to provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders in crisis.

Visit www.riredcross.org for more information and to find out how you can help.

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American Red Cross of Rhode Island • 105 Gano Street :: PO Box 2496 • Providence, RI 02906
(401) 831-7700 • TOLL FREE 1-800-842-1122

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