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October 30, 2007

WE GIVE -- FIRST LADY MARIA SHRIVER COMMENDS BUSINESSES FOR STEPPING UP AND SUPPORTING CALIFORNIANS DURING THIS TIME OF NEED


Maria Shriver Urged a Statewide Call to Action at The Women’s Conference 2007

More Than $23 Million Raised to Support Southern California Fire Relief Efforts and Still Counting

Thursday, October 25, 2007 -- California First Lady Maria Shriver announces that more than $23 million in disaster relief and assistance to Southern California fire victims has been raised through the tremendous support of businesses.

As part of her “It’s About WE™” initiative and disaster preparedness efforts, First Lady Maria Shriver issued a statewide call to action at Tuesday’s Women’s Conference.  Shriver harnessed the power of The Women’s Conference, the largest gathering of women in the nation, to inspire and empower all Californians and California businesses to donate time and money to organizations that provide relief to those affected by the fires.

“Arnold and I are overwhelmed with appreciation and pride in how WE Californians together have responded, supported and served each other in this great time of need,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “The many businesses that have stepped up to support the organizations aiding the victims of these terrible fires are true corporate citizens and their actions have only strengthened my belief in the power of WE.”

The following businesses to date have stepped up to show their support and we expect many more to join in this effort:

Albertsons, Amgen, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bank of America, Blue Cross of California, BP, Chevron, CIGNA, CVS, Disney, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, Health Net, Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, Macy's, the Macy's Foundation and the Bloomingdale's Fund of the Macy's Foundation, Mattel, McDonald’s, Nestle Waters North America, Pacific Life, PG&E, Ralphs/Food 4 Less, Rite Aid, Safeway, SEMPRA/SDG&E, Target, Time Warner Cable, Toys R Us, Verizon, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo and Westfield.

Earlier this week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger created a toll-free hotline dedicated to these corporate fire relief efforts to ensure the most efficient collection and distribution of major contributions.  Companies and businesses that wish to make a donation should call
1-800-750-2858 (TDD 1-800-735-2929) -- 800 line operational 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST daily.

Individuals interested in volunteering to support local disaster response efforts should visit www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org.

First Lady Maria Shriver launched “It’s About WE™” as the umbrella campaign for all of her projects and initiatives.  To learn more please, visit www.FirstLady.ca.gov.

 
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"Minerva is symbolic of the multiple roles women play in the lives of our families and communities - and in the lives of Californians," said Maria Shriver. READ MORE "It's All About WE" is the overarching brand for the programs and initiatives led by Shriver. The message is an open invitation for all Californians to find out what WE can do together when WE come together. "It's All About WE" represents Shriver's belief in the power of uniting people to communicate with each other, support each other, and achieve a positive legacy in their own lives, in their communities, in their state -- and beyond. READ MORE "Minerva is symbolic of the multiple roles women play in the lives of our families and communities - and in the lives of Californians," said Maria Shriver. READ MOR