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McCormick Tribune Disaster Relief Fund
Raises More Than $10 Million
Foundation contributes
$2.5 million in matching funds
First grants of $3.8
million made to 13 social service agencies
CHICAGO, October 2, 2001 -- Tribune
Company (NYSE:TRB) and
the McCormick Tribune Foundation today announced that more
than $10 million has been raised through the Disaster Relief
Fund, established in the wake of the terrorist bombings of
September 11. The money will be used to assist emergency service
agencies helping the victims of the tragedy.
Nearly $8 million was raised through individual
contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund. The McCormick Tribune
Foundation contributed another $2.5 million in matching funds
to the effort.
Today the Disaster Relief Fund awarded initial
grants totaling $3.8 million to 13 social service agencies,
including individual grants of $500,000 each to the American
National Red Cross and the Community Service Society of New
York, which provides emergency financial assistance to the
neediest victims and their families. Safe Horizons of New
York, which provides counseling and social services to victims,
also received $500,000.
"These initial grants are just the beginning,"
said John Madigan, Tribune Company's chairman and chief executive
officer. "Thousands of our readers, viewers, listeners
and employees have opened their hearts and generously supported
our fundraising efforts during this difficult time. We hope
in the weeks ahead to assist dozens of the social service
agencies helping the victims of this disaster and their families-the
work of these agencies during this crisis has been truly heroic."
Tribune's 11 newspapers, 23 television stations,
4 radio stations spearheaded the fundraising effort by sponsoring
local collection efforts on behalf of the Disaster Relief
Fund. Appeals for contributions to the fund began just days
after the attack.
"Our employees have worked tirelessly
around-the-clock to report this story and its aftermath,"
said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune Company's president and chief
operating officer. "Many of them have been directly affected
by this tragedy and the acts of heroism they have witnessed;
this fund has given them the opportunity to personally help
support those who's work and dedication they have so admired."
The McCormick Tribune Foundation matched the
first $5 million dollars raised by the fund at the rate of
fifty-cents per dollar. Though the Foundation reached its
fundraising goal, the Disaster Relief Fund is continuing to
accept contributions.
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 Foundation absorbed all the administrative
costs of this ambitious campaign, so that 100% of every donation
will be granted to help ease the pain of the victims of this
national tragedy," said Madigan, who also serves as chairman
of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. "It's gratifying
to be able to help so many people during this time of crisis."
A list of all the grants awarded today
is posted on the McCormick Tribune Foundation website at www.rrmtf.org,
and on the Tribune Company website at www.tribune.com.
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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.
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