ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The
Western Union Foundation today announced support for disaster relief
efforts that will help the families and communities impacted by the
tornado in Oklahoma.
The Western Union Foundation is an American Red Cross disaster-response
partner. The Foundation’s funding is supporting Red Cross immediate
response activities in the wake of the disaster, which includes
providing shelter, meals and mental health triage for people impacted by
the storm, as well as first responders.
To encourage and support employee generosity, Western Union will
two-for-one match all employee donations to the Western Union Foundation
for Oklahoma tornado disaster-relief efforts. Each employee can donate
up to US$25,000 per calendar year.
Western Union is also encouraging its Agents to join together in
supporting relief efforts. Under the Western Union Foundation Agent Gift
Match program, the Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of
qualifying Agent contributions to NGOs providing disaster relief support
in the impacted region.
Employees and consumers can give online by using the “Donate
Now” button at www.westernunionfoundation.org.
Consumers should select the Oklahoma Tornado Relief option.
Additionally, the Western Union Company has set up a no-fee* Payments
contribution account benefitting the American Red Cross. Donors can
contribute to relief efforts by making a no-fee* Payments transaction at
participating Western Union® Agent locations, directed to the
account, up to USD$5,000.
Donors will need to complete the Western Union blue Payments or Quick
Pay form, using the company name “American Red Cross” or the code city,
“REDCROSS DC.” Please write in, “Tornado Relief” as the account number.
"The tornado in Oklahoma has caused significant damage and loss of life,
and we are responding with support and services to assist the relief
efforts,” said Western Union Foundation President,
Patrick Gaston
.
“Funds collected through Western Union will help the American Red Cross
assist with critical initiatives such as providing food, water and
shelter to the families and children most affected by the tornado.”
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts
are with the people of Oklahoma during this time of need. Over the
coming weeks we will be working with Western Union Agents, employees and
nonprofit partners to help the area recover and rebuild,” concluded
Gaston.
*Western Union makes money on the exchange of currencies.
About The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world,
where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not
just a privilege for the few but a right for all. With the support of
The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners,
The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting
education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better
future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for
individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its
inception, The Western Union Foundation has committed more than $86.9
million in grants and other giving to more than 2,627 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 130 countries and territories. To learn more,
visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.
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 March 31, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of approximately 515,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and approximately 100,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union
Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions
worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432
million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
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Source: Western Union