WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 2008 – The American Red Cross will honor FedEx with its prestigious Henry Dunant International Partnership Excellence Award at the organization’s Heritage of Service Dinner this evening. This award is given to an individual or organization whose international work exemplifies or inspires the humanitarian values of human dignity, respect, compassion and assistance in support of the American Red Cross mission.
The Heritage of Service Dinner is a celebration to recognize the outstanding dedication and commitment from individuals, organizations, partners and corporations who enable the Red Cross to achieve its noble mission each year. This international humanitarian award salutes FedEx and its employees for their longstanding commitment and generous contributions in support of the international Red Cross mission. This national donor recognition event will bring together members of Congress, military leaders, Washington dignitaries, corporate representatives, and Red Cross partners and volunteers. Accepting the award for FedEx will be its Corporate Vice President of Government Affairs, Gina Adams.
“The American Red Cross could not be more delighted to recognize and applaud one of our organization’s most dedicated corporate partners,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Red Cross. “Through their unyielding generosity and commitment to provide disaster relief and to educate communities at home and abroad about disaster preparedness, FedEx has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Red Cross’s disaster logistics system. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Gina Adams, Corporate Vice President, Government Affairs at FedEx, for her service and dedication as a member of the American Red Cross Board of Governors for the past six years.”
“There are few organizations which are more deserving of our support than the American Red Cross and it is a tremendous source of pride for FedEx that we can contribute to their important mission,” said Fred Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corporation. “Helping the Red Cross overcome the amazing logistical challenges that they face brings out the very best in our more than 290,000 FedEx team members around the world.”
The Red Cross Movement’s roots lie in a 19th century effort to help soldiers injured in battle. In 1859, Swiss businessman Henry Dunant witnessed the aftermath of a fierce clash between French and Austrian armies while he was traveling though Italy. For days, he worked alongside local residents caring for thousands of wounded soldiers from both sides of the conflict. When he called for the creation of volunteer relief societies to provide care for those wounded in conflict, the Red Cross Movement was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1863. One year later, European nations adopted the first Geneva Convention which provided protection for wounded soldiers and neutral parties, identified by the Red Cross emblem.
FedEx has supported the Red Cross for more than a decade transporting thousands of tons of relief supplies each year. FedEx has donated approximately $7.5 million in financial and in-kind gifts to support Red Cross domestic and international relief work. FedEx first supported Red Cross international relief efforts during the Pakistan earthquake relief in 2005. FedEx’s $500,000 gift enhanced our ability to delivery relief supplies to remote, mountainous areas. FedEx then followed up with gifts in support of international disaster preparedness training and disaster relief efforts in response to the Mexico floods and Cyclone Sidr in Southern Bangladesh. Additionally FedEx has supported Regional Disaster Management Units in Dubai, Panama, and Kuala Lumpur, and the establishment of a Unit in Africa. FedEx’s in-kind shipping donations also support the organization’s international Restoring Family Links program.
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Dinner. General Richard B. Myers, USAF (RET), will serve as the Dinner Chair. General Myers and his wife, Mary Jo Myers, will be the emcees for the event. Preceding the dinner in the American Red Cross Hall of Service, there will be a reception from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the American Red Cross Board of Governors Hall in Washington, D.C.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.
FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $37 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit newsroom.fedex.com/newsroom.