1.07.2005 ET

(CSRwire) WOONSOCKET, RI - The CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust, the private foundation managed by CVS Corporation, announced today it is donating $1,000,000 to the American Red Cross in order to assist with relief efforts for victims of the tsunami in southern Asia. Along with this donation, the Trust pledged to match up to $500,000 made by donors nationwide to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which provides relief to the victims in southern Asia. This marks the largest gift made in Rhode Island towards this disaster, to date.

Donations have been pouring into the American Red Cross, Rhode Island Chapter since the tsunami hit on December 26th. To date, the Chapter has collected over $300,000 to aid victims of the tsunami.

"The CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust is leading the way by offering the single largest gift Rhode Island has seen for disaster relief efforts in southern Asia," said Daniel Samborn, CEO of the American Red Cross, RI Chapter. "We are extremely fortunate to have CVS/pharmacy as our neighbor and their commitment to community and to those in need is unparalleled."

"All of us at CVS are concerned about the devastating impact this disaster has had on the population of South Asia. We are pleased to support relief and recovery efforts in the region with a donation from the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust to the American Red Cross," said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at CVS and Director of the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust. "The Red Cross in Rhode Island continues to be a trusted and effective partner in providing meaningful support to communities in need. They were instrumental in helping us establish our match for community donations to the Red Cross' International Response Fund."

People wanting to help those affected by the tsunami/earthquake in South Asia and countless other crises around the world each year may make a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) to make your tax-deductible donation. Checks may be made out to the American Red Cross International Response Fund and mailed to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC, 20013. In the memo section of the check, donors should write "CVS match." Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

The CVS Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation managed by CVS Corporation, which operates more than 5,000 CVS/pharmacy stores in 36 states. The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in communities where CVS stores are located. General information about CVS is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website, at www.CVS.com.

For more information please contact: