Calgary Co-op Raises $21,465 for Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort

October 7, 2005 Calgary, Alberta - At 1:30 p.m. today, Calgary Co-op will be presenting the Canadian Red Cross with a cheque for $21,465 donated by customers and employees during the recent Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign at all Calgary Co-op locations. The cheque presentation and photo opportunity will take place on Friday, October 7, 2005 at Calgary Co-op's Midtown Market, 1130- 11 Avenue S.W. at 1:30 p.m.

Calgary Co-op accepted donations from September 5, 2005 to September 23, 2005. All money collected for the Hurricane Katrina appeal is to be used solely for Red Cross emergency relief and long term rehabilitation programs in the hurricane-affected areas.

"When our employees heard about this unprecedented disaster, they immediately wanted to do something to help the victims," says Donna Burn, director, member and public relations. "Calgary Co-op partnered with the local Canadian Red Cross to launch a fundraising initiative in all Calgary Co-op centres to provide customers and employees with a convenient way to donate funds to the recovery effort," said Burn.

"Red Cross is privileged to have the ongoing support of Calgary Co-op and we would like to thank them for their efforts," said Shirley Diaz, Southern Alberta Red Cross Regional Director. "This support will go a long way in helping the hundreds of thousands of people in the Gulf Coast who were affected by the Hurricanes."

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with assets of $287 million, sales of $752 million, 396,000 members and 3,700 employees. In 2004, Calgary Co-op donated over $1.5 million to local charities and non-profit organizations.

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For information, please contact:

Melinda Lundy, Member and Public Relations Co-ordinator
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
2735 - 39 Ave. NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 7C7
Telephone: 403-219-6025

Cecilia Partap, Red Cross Pulic Affairs Co-ordinator
Telephone: 403-541-6121