The
Western Union Foundation today announced support for disaster relief
efforts that will help the families and communities impacted by the
devastating floods in Colorado.
The Western Union Foundation is making a grant of $25,000 to The
American Red Cross to support the organization’s immediate response
activities, which include providing shelter provisions, non-food relief
items and safe drinking water to the thousands of families impacted by
the disaster. The Western Union Foundation is also an American Red Cross
disaster-response partner.
To encourage and support employee philanthropy, The Western Union
Company will match two-for-one employee donations, through September 27,
2013, to the Western Union Foundation for disaster relief efforts across
Colorado, up to a combined total of $50,000.
Employees – and consumers worldwide – can give online by using the “Donate
Now” button at WesternUnionFoundation.org,
and selecting the “Colorado Disaster 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, Quick
Collect or Quick Pay form, using the company name “American Red Cross”
and the code city, “REDCROSS DC.” Please write in, “Disaster Relief” as
the account number.
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.
"The floods in Colorado have caused significant damage, impacting
thousands of people across the state. We are responding and supporting
services that provide food, water and shelter to the families and
children most affected by the disaster,” said Hikmet Ersek, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Western Union.
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts
are with the people of Colorado during this time of need. Over the
coming weeks we will work with Western Union Agents, employees and
nonprofit partners to help the state recover and rebuild,” concluded
Ersek.
*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 $90.2
million in grants and other giving to more than 2,657 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 130 countries and territories. The Western
Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States
charity. 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 June 30, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of approximately 520,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and approximately 115,000 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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Copyright Business Wire 2013