| 
Tribune Company Partners With The McCormick
Tribune Foundation to Establish National Disaster Relief Fund
Company's newspapers,
television stations and websites to participate
McCormick Tribune Foundation
pledges $2.5 million in matching funds
CHICAGO, September 14, 2001 --
Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB)
and the McCormick Tribune Foundation today announced that
they have established a nationwide Disaster Relief Fund that
will assist emergency service agencies helping the victims
of Tuesday's tragic events. The McCormick Tribune Foundation
will contribute $2.5 million in matching funds to the effort.
Tribune's 11 newspapers, 23 television stations,
4 radio stations will spearhead the fundraising effort by
sponsoring local collection efforts on behalf of the Disaster
Relief Fund. Appeals for contributions began Thursday evening
with campaigns in print and on air.
"The magnitude of Tuesday's disaster is
beyond description, and the work being done by emergency crews
is nothing less than heroic," said John Madigan, Tribune
Company's chairman and chief executive officer. "As the
events in New York and Washington have continued to unfold,
the public and our employees have asked, 'What more can I
do to help?' The Disaster Relief Fund is being established
to provide our readers, viewers, listeners and employees with
a way to contribute to the heroic efforts underway to help
the victims and their families."
"As a news organization we have a responsibility
to our readers, listeners and viewers to report the news swiftly
and accurately," said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune Company's
president and chief operating officer. "This fundraising
effort is another way in which our newspapers and broadcast
stations can serve our communities."
Checks can be made payable to Tribune Disaster
Relief Fund. Donations can be sent to:
Tribune Disaster Relief Fund
c/o McCormick Tribune Foundation
Suite 770
435 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
A toll-free phone number has also been established
to accept donations. The phone number is (800)-999-9005.
The McCormick Tribune Foundation will match
the first $5 million dollars raised by the fund at the rate
of fifty-cents per dollar. 100 percent of the donations made-and
the matching funds-will be granted to relief agencies to help
cover the costs of assisting those affected by the crisis.
"The McCormick Tribune Foundation has
long been a leader in philanthropic efforts to help the less
fortunate and to provide aid to American citizens in times
of crisis," said Madigan, who also serves as chairman
of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. "The Disaster Relief
Fund is an another important way the Foundation fulfills that
mission."
Chicago-based Tribune companies, including
the Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV, WGN Radio, CLTV, The Chicago
Cubs, and Exito! are joining together to coordinate one fundraising
effort for the Tribune Disaster Relief. A public service announcement
featuring Tribune's Chicago personalities including the Chicago
Tribune's Bob Green, WGN-TV's Allison Payne, WGN Radio's Spike
O'Dell and Cubs' manager Don Baylor will begin airing this
weekend.
:: :: ::
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is a
private foundation that supports nonprofit agencies nationwide
through a philanthropic partnership with broadcast and print
media organizations as well as professional sports teams.
As an incentive for the general public to contribute donations
to address their communities' needs, the Foundation matches
donations at a significant percentage, thereby increasing
the net benefit to the agencies in those communities.
The foundation was established in 1955
upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime
editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, who directed
that his estate be dedicated to promoting a democratic society
and its equality of life. Employing philanthropic means, the
foundation's goals include improving the social and economic
environment; encouraging a free and responsible discussion
of issues affecting the nation; enhancing the effectiveness
of American education; and stimulating responsible citizenship.
|
