Calgary Co-op employees bring holiday gifts to the Alberta Children's Hospital

December 13, 2004 Calgary, Alberta - Today, proving that this season is a time for giving, Calgary Co-op employees will donate $ 38,834 to the Alberta Children's Hospital and deliver a teddy bear to every child in the hospital.

The money raised by this year's Calgary Co-op employee fundraiser will go towards Emily's Backyard at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Emily's Backyard is a special place where kids and families who receive care at the hospital can go to play and just be a kid.

"Emily's Backyard is a wonderful program, and over the past four years, Calgary Co-op employees have donated over $208,000 to support it," says Kim Mustard, member and public relations co-ordinator. " We are proud of our employees for their commitment to the hospital and we know this donation will help bring smiles to the faces of children visiting the hospital."

Calgary Co-op employees raised the funds through barbecues; sales of Calgary Co-op Cooks , an employee cookbook; and other fundraising activities. The donation of teddy bears is part of Calgary Co-op's sponsorship of a recent Country 105 Radiothon, and employees have the chance to see the kids' smiles first hand by delivering the teddy bears in person.

Calgary Co-op is a generous supporter of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, and is donating $500,000 over five years for the construction of Emily's Backyard in the new hospital. The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to further the pursuit of excellence in family centred child health care. The generosity of the community makes a real difference to the more than 62,000 children and families who rely on care from the hospital each year.

Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with assets of $272 million, sales of $750 million, 390,000 members and 3,600 employees. In 2003, Calgary Co-op donated over $1.6 million to local charities and non-profit organizations

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For more information, please contact:

Kim Mustard, Member and Public Relations Co-ordinator
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Telephone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6139