Wal-Mart Canada teams with Red Cross to help people affected by disasters

(Halifax, October 23, 2003) - The Canadian Red Cross announced today a national partnership with Wal-Mart Canada to provide assistance during disasters and local emergencies such as house fires. Wal-Mart will donate more than $1.4 million in cash and goods to Red Cross disaster response programs over the next three years. These programs help address the basic needs of Canadians affected by disasters for items such as food, clothing, shelter, personal items, family reunification services and other relief programs.

"In the last few months, we have seen Wal-Mart generously support Red Cross relief efforts in many ways," says Robert Barnes, President of the Canadian Red Cross. "Whether it was forest fires in B.C., flash floods in the Bois-Francs region of Quebec or Hurricane Juan here in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. - Wal-Mart has been an important partner of Red Cross in helping Canadians begin to recover from devastating disasters. This three-year partnership with Wal-Mart will help us be better prepared to respond to disasters that are tragically happening at an increased frequency and magnitude."

"The recent disasters affecting Canadians all over this country such as the terrible fires in B.C. and Hurricane Juan in Nova Scotia emphasize that disaster relief is one of the most important efforts any individual or organization can undertake," says Mario Pilozzi, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Canada. 

Over three years, Wal-Mart will provide the Red Cross with cash, store merchandise, blankets, hygiene kits and other materials as needed.

As part of the partnership, Wal-Mart will also encourage its associates across Canada to become trained as Red Cross disaster response volunteers. Thousands of trained Red Cross volunteers and staff deliver a range of services to people affected by disasters - from the provision of food and shelter, to assisting evacuees in returning to their homes.

Wal-Mart joins eight other corporations that support Canadian Red Cross disaster programs:  RBC Financial Group, Petro-Canada, Royal & SunAlliance, The Home Depot, The Weather Network, Air Canada, Canadian Bankers Association and Canada Post. 

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For more information, contact:

Cathie Desborough
Public Affairs Director, Atlantic Canada
Tel:  (506) 674-6171
Cel:  (613) 647-4345

Suzanne Charest
Communications Officer, National Office
Tel:  (613) 740-1928
Pager:  (613) 594-7405