Now Reading
Vons Employees Raise Record $1,170,800 for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Vons Employees Raise Record $1,170,800 for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Published 07-26-06
Submitted by Vons
ARCADIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 2006--The Vons Division of Safeway Inc. announced today that a record $1,170,800 was raised to support prostate cancer research during the company's annual June fundraiser. This amount is the largest contribution toward the Company's overall gift of $5.1 million.
"The success of our fundraising is a result of the combined efforts of our generous customers and our enthusiastic employees," said Tom Keller, Vons Division President. "This record-breaking contribution tells us the cause hits home and that our awareness-raising activities are having an impact."
Nationwide, Safeway has raised more than $17.8 million over six years to support the cause. The company's June fundraiser benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic supporter of prostate cancer research and facilitator of over 1,200 research grants to 100 institutions worldwide.
During June, Vons employees solicited customer donations at checkstands and held a range of retail fundraising activities. Employees and customers alike participated in parking lot barbecues and bowling tournaments, and parking lot rummage sales and carnivals. The company also spent the month raising awareness using a range of channels including its weekly sales circular, radio advertisements, milk carton imprints and prostate cancer awareness messaging throughout the store. To further promote early detection, Vons also conducted prostate cancer screening at select pharmacies throughout Southern California and Nevada. "We take the awareness-raising component of our June campaign seriously," said Keller. "Early detection boosts prostate cancer survival rates, and each year we find new ways to get the message in front of our customers and their families."
Each year Vons raises money for numerous charitable causes including breast cancer research, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Easter Seals. In addition, employees make contributions to local charities through the Vons Foundation. Safeway Inc. contributed more than $24 million to local schools through eScrip and other educational programs in 2005. Safeway also donates more than $110 million to Second Harvest food banks and other hunger relief organizations annually.
About Vons
Vons, which is celebrating 100 years of service in the community this year, is a division of Safeway Inc. The Vons division operates 314 stores throughout Southern California and Clark County Nevada under the Vons and Pavilions banners.
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,770 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
Copyright Business Wire 2006
