ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, and the Western Union Foundation announced a series of relief efforts to support communities in the Philippines devastated by Typhoon Bopha.

Mobilizing Consumer Giving through westernunion.com:

To further help people contribute to relief efforts, westernunion.com is offering fee-free money transfers to the Philippines. The online fee-free^* money transfer service to the Philippines is available for all money transfers sent from www.westernunion.com and its mobile app between December 12-21, 2012, and is subject to network, service and currency availability.

“A country’s border should not limit the power of a helping hand,” said Khalid Fellahi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Western Union Digital Ventures. “In this time of great trial for the people of the Philippines, we hope to connect the global community with those whose lives have been shattered by Typhoon Bopha.”

Direct Support through Grantmaking:

The Western Union Foundation will provide a US$50,000 grant to the Philippines Red Cross for immediate relief to impacted communities with shelter, food and basic necessities.

Mobilizing Consumer Giving through Western Union® Payments Service:

The Western Union Foundation is also launching a challenge to match contributions on a one-to-one basis up to US$50,000 directed to the Philippines Red Cross to further benefit those affected. Consumers in the U.S. can use the Western Union^® Payments service, with no transfer fee^*, at participating Western Union^® Agent locations. The challenge grant option is available through Friday, December 28, 2012. Donors can also give online at www.westernunionfoundation.org.

*Western Union may make 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. As of September 30, 2012, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 510,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

Source: Western Union