Western Union, its Agents and Foundation initiate coordinated response
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 2011-- In response to the catastrophic flooding caused by Tropical Storm Washi in the Southern Philippines, the Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) today announced a coordinated disaster-aid effort to help Filipino flood victims.
The disaster response includes a Western Union Foundation grant totaling US$100,000 and dedicated employee and Agent giving programs with a corporate match. All donations and grants will be directed to the Philippines Red Cross. In addition, participating Western Union Agent locations worldwide will offer “no transfer fee*” transactions to prompt consumer giving.
Direct Support through Grantmaking
The Western Union Foundation will give an initial financial contribution of US$30,000 to the Philippines Red Cross, which is providing flood survivors with basic necessities such as safe drinking water, food, blankets and first aid.
Three Western Union Agents in the Philippines have joined the call for support. Universal Storefront Services Corporation, Petnet Incorporated and eBusiness Services, Inc. have collectively donated US $35,000. With the company’s match and the initial grant from the Western Union Foundation, a total of US$100,000 will be donated to the Philippines Red Cross.
Western Union is actively encouraging its other global Agents, businesses that offer the company’s financial services, to join together in supporting relief efforts. Western Union will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of Agent contributions to the Western Union Foundation disaster relief fund.
According to government officials, more than 1,000 people have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands more are missing or displaced.
“We are deeply saddened by the magnitude of human suffering caused by this natural disaster,” said Patricia Riingen, Western Union senior vice president, Pacific and Indochina. “We are moving quickly to determine how we can best assist our Agents, their local communities and their employees, some of whom have been directly impacted by this record storm. We also are looking to leverage the unique combination of our Agent network, our brand, our consumer relationships, our compassionate employees and the resources of the Western Union Foundation to provide broad-based aid during these most trying circumstances.”
Mobilizing Consumer Giving
Western Union is enabling consumers around the world to give to the Philippines Red Cross as part of a “no transfer fee*” program using the Western Union® Quick Collect®, Quick PaySM, or Payments Service through participating Western Union® Agent locations. Consumers need to complete the blue form, using "WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION” as the Pay To recipient; “WUFOUNDATIONCO” as the Code City; and “PHILIPPINES” as the Account number. This consumer-giving option will be available through Jan. 30, 2012. The Western Union Foundation does not charge any overhead or administration fees, so all funds given to the Foundation will go directly to the Philippines Red Cross.
“In the normal course of business, Western Union creates shared value by offering a range of reliable financial services that help consumers and businesses prosper and build better lives,” said Patricia Rinngen. “It’s gratifying to know that during times of crisis we can put some of those same services to work in a way that can help people during their greatest time of need.”
Motivating Employee Giving
To encourage and support employee philanthropy, Western Union, through the Western Union Foundation, has created a special relief fund. Western Union will match all employee donations two-for-one for U.S. based employees and three-for-one for all other company employees around the world.
Employees and consumers can give online by using the “Donate Now” button at www.westernunionfoundation.org.
“It’s part of Western Union’s heritage to provide assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, and that remains a key component of the Western Union Foundation’s giving today,” said Luella Chavez D’Angelo, senior vice president of Western Union Social Ventures and president of the Western Union Foundation. “When devastation strikes, we strive to be there to help communities on the road to recovery.”
*Western Union makes money on the exchange of currencies.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About the Western Union Foundation
Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family® signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower people through access to economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five-year, $50 million commitment reflecting efforts made by Western Union employees, agents and partners around the world. Since its inception, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $73.8 million in grants to 2033 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 120 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.
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Source: Western Union
Western Union
Kristin Kelly, +1 720-332-4751
Kristin.kelly@westernunion.com