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CVS Samaritan Van Program Celebrates 30 Years of Helping Motorists on the Nation's Highways

CVS Samaritan Van Program Celebrates 30 Years of Helping Motorists on the Nation's Highways

Published 02-06-08

Submitted by CVS Health

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- If you have ever been stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, a dead battery, or other vehicular emergency, you are probably familiar with the feeling of relief that comes when help arrives. For the last 30 years, the CVS Samaritan Van program has provided that help and relief to more than a million drivers in need of roadside assistance.

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark, launched its CVS Samaritan Van program in Rhode Island 30 years ago on February 6, 1978, the same day that the "Blizzard of '78" struck the Northeast. The single vehicle and its driver immediately began to provide assistance to motorists who became stranded by the sudden storm.

Thirty years later, a fleet of CVS Samaritan Vans, patrolling highways around nine major U.S. cities, have traveled more than 10 million "help miles" and assisted more than a million people. The distinctive white vans with the red "CVS/Samaritan" logo have become a familiar site to commuters in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Providence, and Washington, D.C.

"By working in cooperation with local transportation departments, metro traffic centers, law enforcement and other emergency responders, our highly trained CVS Samaritan Van drivers provide welcome roadside assistance and support," said Eileen Howard Dunn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at CVS Caremark. "By helping to keep people safe on our nation's highways, the CVS Samaritan Van program is part of our company's Vision to strive to improve the quality of human life."

CVS Samaritan Van drivers, who are ASE-certified in motor vehicle repair and are also licensed EMTs, are capable of making numerous on-site repairs, administering medical help, or using their communications equipment to summon police, rescue vehicles or tow trucks. All repairs, supplies and aid they provide are free-of-charge.

Public response to the CVS Samaritan Van program is overwhelming. More than 7,000 "thank you" letters and emails are received every year from people who have been assisted by the program.

Sample comments from motorists assisted by CVS Samaritan Vans:

"I just wanted to send you a note to express my sincere gratitude for helping my husband who was stranded in the middle of the highway. I was terrified that he would get hit by another car while sitting there. I have seen the CVS vans on the highway in the past so I did a search on the internet and found the number. I spoke to Paul who was extremely polite and helpful. Within 10 minutes Tim Sullivan reached my husband, helped him out and he was on his way again. If that wasn't impressive enough, Paul called me back to update me! This is quality service that you just don't get anymore and it was free which I didn't know. One thing is for sure, I have always used CVS for my pharmacy needs but now I won't go to another pharmacy for anything ever!"

"Thank you for being there just when we needed you. Your service is invaluable to stranded people. Without you, we would have had to wait 45 minutes in rush-hour traffic for assistance, which would have been very scary."

"Ernest (driver) was a lifesaver. I had a flat tire and my lug wrench kept slipping on the lug nut. Ernest had the correct tool and I was on my way. He saved me from calling a tow truck. Thanks!"

"I was stranded with a flat during rush hour and had been waiting an hour for my roadside assistance plan to show up. Then John came along and was so polite. I'll never forget this helpfulness that day. This program is amazing. Thank you!"

Over the course of 30 years, the CVS Samaritan Van program has received numerous awards and recognition, including Traffic Safety Awards form the National Safety Council and the Massachusetts Safety Council; the Outstanding Service Award from the American Red Cross; the Innovative Highway Finance Award for Partnerships from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Authority; the Distinguished Contribution Award from the National Association of Counties; the Governor's Award for Traffic Safety from the State of New York; and Certificates of Appreciation from the State Police in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

The CVS Samaritan Van program currently operates in the following locations:

-- Boston, MA -- Rt. 128 from Rt. 37 to Rt. 2; I-93 from Rt. 128 to I-90

-- Charlotte, NC -- I-77 from the SC State Line to I-85 & I-85 to Sugar Creek Road

-- Chicago, IL -- I-290/Rt. 53 from Lake Cook Road to I-294 interchange

-- Cincinnati, OH/Northern Kentucky -- I-275,Winton Rd. to Montgomery Rd.; I-71 & I-75 from KY state line to I-275, I-71/75 from OH state line to Florence KY, I-471 from OH state line to I-275, & I-275 Kellogg Avenue to Dixie Highway

-- Cleveland, OH -- I-71, Snow Rd. to I-90 E; 25th St. to Marginal Rd.

-- Detroit, MI -- I-75 Rochester Road to I-94; I-696 from Rt.10 to I-94

-- Indianapolis, IN -- I-465 to Keystone Avenue & I-70 Keystone Avenue to I-465

-- Providence, RI -- I-95 from MA state line to Rt. 117; I-195 to MA state line

-- Washington, D.C. - I-395 from I-95 in VA to I-295 in D.C.

The CVS Samaritan Van program is operated on behalf of CVS/pharmacy by Samaritania, Inc., located in Franklin, Massachusetts.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy with more than 6,200 retail locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as http://investor.cvs.com.

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CVS Health

CVS Health

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through our 7,800 retail pharmacies, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 65 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, we enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

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