Major Donors Help The Red Cross Assist Victims Of The Central American Earthquake.

National and Business Desks

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2001

Sixteen leading U.S. organizations are supporting the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Central America by making significant contributions to the international response fund.

Because of the support of these organizations the American Red Cross is able to continue helping the victims of the tragic earthquake in Central America by providing relief supplies, food and emotional assistance. Since the magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck, at least 700 people have died and 2,600 have been injured as a result of the earthquake. The death toll could rise further as rescue workers gain access to areas that were cut off by as many as 253 landslides triggered by the quake.

These 16 donors have collectively donated $608,000. Duke Energy is giving $100,000 and Philip Morris has donated $63,000. The Kimberly-Clark Foundation will make a $55,000 gift, and the Western Union Foundation, the Harriman Foundation and ExxonMobil will each give $50,000.

"Thanks to the generosity of these companies and foundations, the American Red Cross is responding immediately to those in need," said Jennifer Dunlap, senior vice president of development. "The American Red Cross has been on the scene from the beginning, providing for basic human needs such as safe drinking water, relief supplies, and caring for the emotional needs of people affected by the earthquake. Because of the financial assistance of donors, the Red Cross will remain with those individuals and families every step of the way as they rebuild their lives."

Donors to the Central American relief effort include:

   -- Marriott International
   -- Lucent Technologies
   -- FOHS Family Foundation
   -- Dibner Fund
   -- Fairchild
   -- Kraft Foods International
   -- Tampa Tank, Inc.
   -- The Kaplan Foundation
   -- Eikenberg Foundation
   -- Ricoh Electronics

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To help the victims of this and other disasters, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions to the International Response Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. A humanitarian service organization currently operating on a budget of $2.3 billion, the American Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 60,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. The American Red Cross also trains more than 11.7 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provides direct health services to 2.5 million people, provides locally relevant community services to more than 24 million people, assists international disaster and conflict victims in more than 20 countries, and transmits more than 1.4 million emergency messages to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Dr. Bernadine Healy is president and CEO of the American Red Cross.