4.27.2006 ET

(CSRwire) Washington, DC - Four top American CEOs have launched the Central America and Mexico Hurricane Relief Fund (www.HurricaneAction.org), a nationwide private sector led, White House supported partnership to encourage private donations for reconstruction in Central America and Southern Mexico. The Fund is in response to the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season which brought an unprecedented 13 storms, of which three--Stan, Beta and Gamma--ravaged the region.

The business leaders supporting this effort include: Steve S Reinemund, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo, Inc.; Bob Lane, Chairman and CEO, Deere & Company; Maria Lagomasino, CEO, Asset Management Advisors, LLC, an affiliate of Sun Trust Banks, Inc., and Michael G. Morris, Chairman, President, and CEO, American Electric Power. The CEOs met with President George W. Bush at the White House on January 13, 2006 and traveled to the region with Ambassador Karen P. Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs on December 4-5, 2005.

The group has partnered with Global Impact, a non-profit leader in workplace giving and corporate partnerships, to manage fundraising and disbursement activities. To date, 30 corporations have committed more than $3.7 million dollars to the Fund and fundraising continues to generate additional corporate support.

The fundraising goal is $5M and disbursement of the funds will focus on three key areas including education for displaced children, microfinance, and infrastructure and reconstruction to help survivors of the hurricanes rebuild their lives and communities.

For additional information or to contribute to the Fund, please visit www.HurricaneAction.org.

About Global Impact
Global Impact is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the poorest people on earth. Global Impact represents more than 50 of the most respected U.S.-based international charities in workplace giving campaigns across the nation. Each year, Global Impact and its member charities touch hundreds of millions of lives in virtually every developing country through disaster relief, education, health training and economic programs that promote self-sufficiency.

Global Impact was established in 1956 and has grown over the years to become the nation's recognized leader in raising awareness and funds at the workplace for its member charities. It provides a trustworthy, effective and efficient organization through which Americans can direct their charitable contributions where there is the greatest need. In addition to 50 years of participating in workplace giving campaigns across the nation, Global Impact also manages the two largest Federal workplace giving campaigns--the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) and the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas (CFC-O) for all overseas commands of the Department of Defense. By providing the opportunity to give internationally, Global Impact continues to provide American citizens and companies the best way to reach out to people in need.

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