~Corporations and Individuals Heeding Call for Help~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2004 Steve Uhlfelder
CEO, Hurricane Charley Fund
(850) 201-0888
Fonda Anderson, Communications
(727) 821-2056
TALLAHASSEE - The Volunteer Florida Foundation today announced the
most recent donations to the Hurricane Charley Disaster Relief Fund, established
by Governor Jeb Bush to fund the needs of the thousands of hurricane victims
across Florida.
“I urge Americans to donate any amount possible to help those in need,” said
Lt. Governor Jennings. “Not only will the funds help the hurricane survivors
rebuild their lives, the tremendous outpouring of donations from all across
the country is rebuilding their spirits.”
Corporate and individual donations were received from across the nation and
Canada, including $100,000 each from Merck and Altria and a $500,000 check
from The Chubb Corporation.
“Because Chubb's insurance subsidiaries have for many years provided
property and casualty insurance in the State of Florida, for both commercial
and personal customers, we feel a close affinity with the victims of Hurricane
Charley,” said John D. Finnegan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Chubb Corporation, which is based in Warren, New Jersey. “This
contribution represents our desire to help relieve the suffering caused by
the storm to so many Florida residents, beyond the hundreds of Chubb's insureds
who have been helped by us directly under the terms of their policies."
The Merck Company Foundation’s donation will be used to rebuild and
expand the Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, specifically the Charlotte
County branch, which was the most severely damaged of the centers.
HURRICANE CHARLEY DONATIONS
“
Our thoughts are with all those who have been so profoundly impacted by the
devastating effects of Hurricane Charley -- in particular, the people in Charlotte
County including some Merck employees,” said Brenda Colatrella, Senior
Vice President, The Merck Company Foundation. “We are pleased to support
the longer-term recovery efforts, especially those efforts that will improve
access to health care for the medically underserved and other special populations.”
Also donating at the $25,000 level or above within the last five days are BellSouth
Telecommunications, $50,000; The Southern Company, $50,000; Wal-Mart Foundation,
$50,000; Florida Coca-Cola, $25,000 and Delaware North Companies, Inc. with
$25,000. Individual contributions range from $9 to $50,000 with New York pledging
the largest number of individual donations. In addition, Viacom is donating
36 billboards and sign space for 300 buses in support of this effort.
All donations are tax-deductible. The fund’s designated manager is the
non-profit Volunteer Florida Foundation, which also manages a number of family
and education initiatives throughout Florida.
For more information please visit www.HurricaneCharleyFund.com or call
1-800-FL-HELP-1. |
