2-For-1 Matching Also Provided for Employee Donations
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 15, 2008 /Xinhua-PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- The Western Union Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Western Union Company, is making a US$250,000 challenge grant to Mercy Corps to be used for earthquake relief and rebuilding efforts in Sichuan Province, China, following a devastating earthquake there on May 12.
Under the program, the Foundation will match dollar for dollar all individual donations to Mercy Corps up to a total of US$250,000, thereby bringing the total potential funds raised to US$500,000 and doubling the impact of giving. Mercy Corps is accepting donations at its website, http://www.mercycorps.org .
In addition, The Western Union Foundation will donate $2 for every dollar donated to Mercy Corps by Western Union employees worldwide for earthquake disaster relief efforts. The Foundation will also match donations made by members of its Agent network on a one-for-one basis, thereby further catalyzing relief efforts.
In the aftermath of the earthquake to hit China, Mercy Corps is channelling aid to survivors through its long-time local partner, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), as well as another partner on the ground in Sichuan to provide financial, material and human resources to support the emergency response. High on the list of urgently needed supplies to be obtained are blankets and pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, temporary shelters and waterproof clothing. The grant from the Western Union Foundation will also help initial efforts to begin rebuilding areas devastated by the earthquake.
The Western Union Foundation grant is part of the Western Union Our World, Our Family program, a company initiative to empower migrant families through education and global economic opportunity programs that help them stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams.
"The phrase 'Our World, Our Family' really underlines what we're trying to do," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation. "Friends, family and loved ones have been affected. We are responding to their need."
Mercy Corps has been assisting families and vulnerable communities in China since 2001. One of its programs, Project GLOW, is centered in Sichuan Province, the epicenter of the earthquake.
The Western Union Foundation's grant comes in response to an earthquake that has killed at least 15,000 people and injured or made homeless hundreds of thousands more. The Chinese government estimates that as many as 3.5 million homes have been destroyed. It is the worst natural disaster to hit China in more than three decades
"What we can do now is to support the best grassroots efforts in the affected areas," said Ian Marsh, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific at Western Union. "By working with Mercy Corps and its local Chinese partners, we hope that the funds we raise will help alleviate some of the suffering."
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 345,000 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 http://www.westernunion.com .
About The Western Union Foundation:
The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the donations of the Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world. Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with Western Union Agents and employees, has granted nearly $40 million to more than 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects. In addition, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations and has funded education and human services programs. For more information, visit http://corporate.westernunion.com/wu_foundation.html .
About Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries. For more information, visit http://www.mercycorps.org .
SOURCE The Western Union Foundation
http://www.mercycorps.org