HOUSTON, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) has issued a corporate challenge, calling on companies and individuals to donate to the Shelter Oklahoma Schools fund for building storm shelters and safe rooms in the state's schools by pledging to match dollar for dollar the next $500,000 in donations.
The corporate challenge is in response to the devastation caused by recent deadly tornados in Moore, Okla. Last week, Apache announced it had pledged $500,000 toward Shelter Oklahoma Schools, a new 501(c)(3) organization created by Oklahoma State Reps. Jon Echols and Mark McBride to build storm shelters and safe rooms in existing Oklahoma schools.
The $500,000 corporate challenge is in addition to Apache's initial $500,000 pledge, bringing Apache's pledge for tornado relief to a total of $1 million.
"Building the storm shelters and safe rooms that Oklahoma schools will require the financial support of many individuals and businesses in Oklahoma," said G. Steven Farris, Apache's chairman and chief executive officer. "The initial response from Oklahomans wanting to help their neighbors has been gratifying. We hope others will recognize that donations they make today will go toward keeping generations of school children safe."
Shelter Oklahoma Schools is accepting donations on its website, http://shelteroklahomaschools.org/.
Apache employees have called Oklahoma home for more than 50 years and the company has ties to many communities, including Moore. Apache currently has 369 employees in Oklahoma.
Moore was devastated by a deadly tornado on May 20 that killed 24 people and sent hundreds to the hospital. Among those killed were 10 children, eight of whom were elementary school students.
About Apache
Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, the United Kingdom North Sea, Australia and Argentina. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and copies of all press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com.
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SOURCE Apache Corporation