[0] ADVISORY/New York Knicks Star Charlie Ward to Sign Autographs At Manhattan Rite Aid.

Assignment/News Editors/Sport Writers

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (April 11)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Ward to Lend Support for Rite Aid's $2.5 Million Children's

Miracle Network Fundraising Campaign

New York Knicks star point guard, Charlie Ward will be at the Rite Aid in Grand Central Terminal on April 11, 2000 from 1-2pm to support Rite Aid's 2000 Children's Miracle Network campaign.

Ward will sign autographs and have his photo taken with customers for $1 with all proceeds supporting hospitalized children in the New York metropolitan area.

"I'm excited to be able to help raise money that will go directly to helping children in the New York and New Jersey area. The money raised through Rite Aid for the Children's Miracle Network may be used to help treat a future NBA, MLB, or NFL player," said Ward.

Children's Miracle Network "miracle child" Brandon Biskobing will join Ward at the store. Biskobing was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and was told that he might not walk.

After numerous extensive surgeries and therapy sessions at a New York area Children's Miracle Network hospital he has overcome the odds of the illness and is walking. Biskobing is an avid sports fan; he especially loves the Knicks and he is looking forward to meeting Ward.

During the campaign, which runs until May 13, 85,000 Rite Aid associates at 3,800 stores across the country are selling $1 paper balloons to customers to raise money for their local children's hospital. One hundred percent of the proceeds stay in the local community to benefit children's health initiatives.

Last year employees at approximately 90 stores in the New York Metropolitan area raised over $30,000 for Children's Miracle Network. Rite Aid is one of the largest fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network in both New York and New Jersey.

"The Children's Miracle Network is essential in contributing to the health and well-being of children. Rite Aid is very proud to be a supporter of an organization that is truly making miracles happen in communities across the nation," said Jorge Amador, regional vice president for Northeast New Jersey and New York City. "This year Rite Aid's goal is to raise more money than ever before."

Rite Aid drugstores have raised almost $6 million since 1994 for 110 of the pediatric hospitals that the Children's Miracle Network organization supports.

Children's Miracle Network's national Vice President, Marketing and Promotion, Sue Roady said, "We've worked very closely with Rite Aid and their 85,000 associates for the past six years. They have proven over and over that they can raise an astonishing amount of money that can help save lives. The Children's Miracle Network is proud to have Rite Aid on our team."

Charlie Ward was selected in the first round of the 1994 draft by the New York Knicks, making him the first Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in the NBA. He is the grandson of a minister and the son of educators. He grew up in Thomasville, Georgia and was the third of seven children. Ward and his wife Tonja recently had a son, Caleb.

Rite Aid is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of over $14 billion and approximately 3,800 stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

Rite Aid owns PCS Health Systems, Inc., which provides pharmacy benefit management programs and services that can help improve patient health and reduce health care costs.

Rite Aid also owns approximately 18 percent of drugstore.com, a leading online source for health, beauty and pharmacy products. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, can be found at the company's Web site at http://www.RITEAID.com.