ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Dec 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Western Union Foundation today named the American Red Cross as the official winner of its "Our World Gives" campaign. Launched in October, the campaign teamed The Western Union Foundation with Facebook, an online social networking tool connecting millions of global users.

Facebook users were given the opportunity to vote for one of eight non-profit organizations that aligned with Western Union's Our World, Our Family program. Participating organizations were Accion USA, American Red Cross, CARE, Mercy Corps, Room to Read, US Fund for UNICEF, Opportunity International and World Vision. As the winning organization, the American Red Cross will receive a $50,000 grant from the foundation.

"We are honored to have been selected by Facebook members as their favorite charity," said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer for the American Red Cross. "Our sincere thanks go to The Western Union Foundation and the many Facebook members who voted and mobilized their network of friends in support of the American Red Cross. As we continue our current campaign to raise $100 million for disaster relief, we are encouraged by this endorsement of our mission."

"The 'Our World Gives' online campaign has been a tremendous success," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, president, The Western Union Foundation. "Although only one organization was ultimately chosen for the $50,000 grant, each of the participating non-profits is a winner in terms of increased awareness of the great work they do and the critical social issues they address. The Western Union Foundation has supported these organizations with more than $2 million in grants since 2001 and will continue to look for opportunities to aid their initiatives in the future."

In addition to the $50,000 grant from its Foundation, The Western Union Company has announced that it will offer consumers the opportunity to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at any of its more than 45,000 U.S. Agent locations. Throughout the month of December, consumers can send donations to the American Red Cross using Western Union's Quick Collect service. Western Union has waived transaction fees for these donations, ensuring that every dollar goes directly to the Disaster Relief Fund.

According to the Red Cross, America has faced a disaster-filled year: a record-breaking number of tornadoes; the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years; a very active hurricane season; wildfires in the West; and the many "silent" disasters that never make national news, such as the tens of thousands of house fires that occur every year. Responding to these emergencies depleted the Disaster Relief Fund, which allows the Red Cross to provide food, shelter, counseling and other critical services to disaster victims across the country.

The American Red Cross is asking people across the nation to help disaster victims by raising $30 million in 30 days. This holiday season push will put the final touch on the $100 million goal for the Red Cross Campaign for Disaster Relief. Already, the campaign has raised nearly $70 million since its launch in September, and the Red Cross hopes to meet its target before the year ends.

"The holiday season can be a joyous but hectic time of year," said D'Angelo. "At Western Union, we want to make it easy for consumers to participate in this season of giving. Western Union Agents are located in grocery stores, convenience stores and other places where people do business every day making it simple and convenient to share a little holiday cheer with those most in need."

For more information about The Western Union Foundation, please visit www.foundation.westernunion.com.

About The Western Union Foundation

Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, The Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, The Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $48 million to more than 1,750 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries. For more information, visit foundation.westernunion.com

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network of more than 365,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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