DEERFIELD, Ill - Walgreen Co. (NYSE, Nasdaq: WAG) announced today it has made an initial donation of $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition, the company will match employee donations dollar for dollar up to $500,000, with the match going to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Employees may donate to the relief charity of their choice.

The company is also in the process of donating truckloads of supplies and emergency medicines to relief efforts in all affected areas. This merchandise will total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Walgreens is offering its customers a contribution opportunity at stores chainwide. Starting today, Sept. 1, Walgreens stores will collect donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund from customers in increments of $1, $5 or $10.

"Our hearts go out to the people whose lives have been devastated by this tragedy," said CEO Dave Bernauer. "The scope of loss suffered by our millions of customers and thousands of employees in the path of Katrina is unimaginable. We will continue to find ways to offer assistance, and view this as a long-term commitment to our communities."

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