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Safeway Donates $9 Million to Bolster Community-Based Disabilities Programs through Easter Seals and Special Olympics
PLEASANTON, Calif.-(Business Wire)-May 19, 2008 - Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) continues to be one of the top corporations in North America supporting programs and services that provide new hope and opportunities for people living with disabilities. Today, the company announced more than $9 million in donations to two of the most prominent organizations devoted to disability programs, Easter Seals and Special Olympics, to fund a broad range of activities, including funding community disability centers and programs to support autism, job training and physical development.
"We continue to be inspired by Safeway's remarkable fundraising skills and their commitment to people with disabilities," said Easter Seals President and CEO James E. Williams, Jr. "This kind of extraordinary level of support will continue to enhance our ability to support a wide range of services to assist children and adults with disabilities."
Safeway dedicated the month of April to rallying employees and customers to support the charities through in-store fundraising and public service messages. Each April and August Safeway raises funds through customer donations and company-sponsored events to support multiple organizations and causes for people with disabilities, including Easter Seals, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Augie's Quest and Special Olympics. Over the years, the company and its employees have raised more than $100 million for these causes.
Safeway launched its April campaign with events in California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas and Washington D.C. At the California launch, Easter Seals President, Jim Williams joined Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and Olympic Gold Medalists Bart Conner and Los Angeles Lakers legend Sam Perkins in saluting a large group of Safeway employees who benefited from the services and programs provided by Easter Seals and Special Olympics.
"We are grateful to be part of this important Safeway initiative and appreciate all they do for Special Olympics and people with disabilities," said Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver. "This kind of assistance ensures that a greater number of people are given an opportunity to participate in our sports programs."
Safeway Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd noted the company employs nearly 10,000 people with disabilities and encouraged other businesses to tap this important but often overlooked talent pool. He gave credit to Safeway employees and customers for their contribution to the cause.
"Our ability to raise significant dollars for these charities is in direct proportion to the dedication of our employees and the generosity of our customers," said Mr. Burd. "Assisting people with disabilities has become a core part of who we are as a company."
The funds raised will support Easter Seals facilities that offer rehabilitation, training and autism services to people with disabilities. Easter Seals will use a portion of the funds to create a special grants program that will be dedicated to provide job training grants and expand autism programs. In Canada, Easter Seals will use funding to develop a "Kids to Camp" program that will allow thousands of children to learn and further develop intellectually and physically. Additionally, through a unique partnership with Special Olympics, Safeway will help fund the Special Olympics mission to provide year-round sports training and competition to people with disabilities which in turn builds acceptance in communities.
ABOUT SAFEWAY www.Safeway.com
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,740 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $42 billion in 2007. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2007 donated more than $172 million, the equivalent of 20% of its net income, to causes such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. To learn more about Safeway's sustainability initiatives, go to www.Safeway.com, click on "About Us" and "Going Green."
ABOUT EASTER SEALS
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com or http://autism.easterseals.com.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and children with intellectual disabilities across more than 180 countries. The Special Olympics movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people—regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. Find out how to be a fan at www.specialolympics.org.
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