Safeway Raises $9.7 Million To Fight Muscular Dystrophy

Main Category: Muscular Dystrophy / ALS
Article Date: 08 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) announced it has raised $9.7 million to help fight muscular dystrophy. The company thanked its customers and employees for their dedication to helping fund research and treatment for neuromuscular disease on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

"We are thrilled with the results and are grateful for the generosity of our customers and the dedication of our employees," said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chair of the Safeway Foundation. "Supporting those affected by neuromuscular disease is a key Safeway priority. This kind of significant fundraising gives us an opportunity to have an even more meaningful impact on a range of important research and treatment programs."

During a month-long campaign, Safeway's more than 1,700 stores in the U.S. and Canada collected donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) in an effort to assist people with neuromuscular disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The company's U.S. retail stores also participated in the Aisles of Smiles program, which gives MDA a portion of the proceeds of specially marked products purchased by customers. The funds will be used to support projects focused on the causes and treatments of neuromuscular diseases at leading research centers.

Over the years Safeway has raised more than $41.7 million for muscular dystrophy charities through customer donations at checkout and grass-roots efforts, such as walks, golf tournaments and bake sales. This year's campaign culminated over Labor Day Weekend when Safeway employees throughout the company participated in regional Jerry Lewis MDA telethon broadcasts to present donation checks and staff phone banks. Ms. Renda presented Safeway's final check to MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis during the telethon's national broadcast.

The term "muscular dystrophy" refers to a group of hereditary muscle-destroying disorders. More than 40 types strike from birth to the later stages of life - many are fatal. All are debilitating. MDA and MDC combat these diseases through research programs, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Safeway has a long history of funding causes for people with disabilities. A major supporter of Easter Seals and Special Olympics, Safeway also employs nearly 10,000 people with disabilities in stores throughout the United States and Canada through special job programs. In addition, Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2007 donated more than $172 million, the equivalent of 20% of its net income, to causes such as education, cancer research and hunger relief.

About Safeway

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,743 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $42 billion in 2007. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2007 donated more than $172 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. Safeway is also one of the largest retail purchasers of wind energy, using 57 million kilowatt hours of wind energy, enough to power all 303 Safeway retail fuel stations, all stores in San Francisco, California and Boulder, Colorado, as well as all of the company headquarters and all corporate offices in Northern California. Safeway was the first major retailer to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, the world's first and North America's only legally binding GHG allowance trading system, and the California Climate Action Registry, which commits the company to reduce its carbon footprint by 6 percent from year 2000 levels.

Safeway has implemented unique energy-saving strategies throughout its manufacturing, distribution and grocery stores by installing new energy-efficient technologies, introducing new maintenance procedures and implementing new sustainable design and construction practices. Additional information about the company's environmental programs can be found at http://www.Safeway.com. Click on "About Us" and "Going Green."

Safeway's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

Safeway Inc.