News

RONA an official Canadian Red Cross national partner

$600,000 commitment will deliver substantial material and financial aid to Canadians whenever disaster strikes

Montreal, Quebec, January 25, 2006 – RONA and the Canadian Red Cross have signed a partnership agreement worth over $600,000 to help Canadian families evacuated from their homes when disasters occur. Over each of the next three years, RONA will supply 4,500 clean-up kits worth $30 a piece – roughly 1,500 kits a year, or more, if needed. In addition, RONA will donate $450,000 to the Canadian Red Cross, or $150,000 per year for the next three years. With this agreement, RONA becomes a new official partner of the Canadian Red Cross.

“We’re already an official partner of the Quebec division of the Red Cross, so we’re very enthused about getting all of the RONA network’s stores involved. The Red Cross can count on some 560 stores across Canada to stand behind them in providing aid to Canadians whenever disasters occur,” said RONA president and CEO Robert Dutton.

The Rona clean-up kits will be provided to disaster victims, free of charge. Disaster victims will request the kits from Canadian Red Cross disaster response teams on the scene. Those eligible for aid will receive a coupon redeemable at the RONA store nearest to the disaster area. (There are at present approximately 560 stores across Canada.) Each kit contains a mop and pail, rubber gloves, detergents (all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant), dustpan, garbage bags and a broom.

“Thanks to this three-year partnership with RONA, we’ll be better prepared to help when natural catastrophes strike, as they seem to be doing with greater frequency and severity these days. It’s also a vote of confidence to have RONA recognize the leadership, spirit of commitment and expertise of the Red Cross and its volunteers,” said Canadian Red Cross secretary general Pierre Duplessis.

About the Canadian Red Cross

Each year, the Canadian Red Cross helps people throughout Canada affected by emergencies and disasters—situations ranging from a housefire to a flood that disrupts an entire region of the country. Following a disaster, the Red Cross works to provide for people's basic needs—food, clothing, shelter, first aid, emotional support and family reunification. The specific services offered are based on the community's needs and the role that their Red Cross has in the local disaster response plan.

About RONA

RONA (TSX: RON) is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of more than 560 franchise, affiliate and corporate stores of various sizes and formats. With over 22,000 employees working under its family of banners across Canada and more than 13 million square feet of retail space, the RONA store network generates $4.8 billion in annual sales.

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Photo available on request.

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Posted January 25, 2006