CaribPR Wire

Latest Donations Build on Company’s Ongoing Financial Commitment to Education in Haiti

 SAN RAMON, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Following donations of more than $100,000 to fund schools in Haiti in 2009, Reply.com and its employees have contributed more than $60,000 to Haitian relief and reconstruction efforts to aid schools and earthquake victims of this month’s devastating earthquake, the company announced today.

 (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100126/SF43616)

 Immediately following the earthquake, Reply! made a $10,000 donation to the Red Cross International Response Fund to provide aid to earthquake victims in Haiti.  Reply! also canceled its 2010 company awards banquet, which was scheduled for early February, and instead donated the money to benefit Haiti. In addition, significant contributions from employees, with matching funds donated by Reply! Founder and CEO Payam Zamani and his wife, Gouya, have increased the overall amount raised for Haitian earthquake relief to approximately $62,000 this month.  Funds from employee contributions and the cancellation of the awards banquet have gone to the Mona Foundation (MonaFoundation.org) for the reconstruction of Haitian elementary schools.

 Donations to Haitian earthquake relief and reconstruction are part of a larger commitment by Reply! to the Caribbean nation.  In 2009, Reply! donated $80,000 —part of an overall donation of more than $100,000 raised at an event that the Zamanis co-hosted with actor Rainn Wilson of the popular television comedy, The Office. That money went to the Mona Foundation to help fund the education of hundreds of children at three Haitian schools in towns ravaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

 ”The needs are so great in Haiti today.  We hope all Americans will consider some type of donation to the relief and reconstruction efforts there,” Zamani said. “Reply.com and its employees are gratified that we have been able make our own contributions both to the immediate relief effort now underway and, just as importantly, to the long-term recovery and resurgence of its people.” 

 Haiti’s plight has long been on Zamani’s radar. Last October, he and Gouya toured the country with the Mona Foundation, visiting schools in Haiti.  The Zamanis stayed at Port-au-Prince’s Hotel Montana, the site of over 200 earthquake-related deaths this month. “Seeing the footage of a building I stayed in just three months ago in complete ruins is humbling. We hope Reply!’s contribution to relief and reconstruction efforts will help in some small way,” he said.

 Reply! donates a portion of its profits each year to aid education-related initiatives in third-world countries, such as Haiti.  “While many of us are not actively engaged in careers that will find a cure for cancer or solve global warming, we can still make valuable contributions to the planet by dedicating some of our resources to meaningful causes,” Zamani said.

 About Reply!, Inc.

Reply.com is the leading online marketing platform for the acquisition of locally-targeted and category-specific consumers on a cost-per-click or cost-per-lead basis. By eliminating the need for complex and expensive online marketing infrastructures and large teams of experts, Reply.com makes Internet marketing available to businesses of all sizes. Reply! provides a highly-profitable alternative to online marketing solutions offered by major search engines and ad networks. To learn more about Reply!, visit www.reply.com.

 Additional information is available at blog.reply.com.

Local Broadcasts in Creole Urge New Mothers to Nourish Infants Through Breast Milk; Cautions Against Baby Formula Made with Dirty Water

 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The global humanitarian organization Save the Children is supporting efforts to promote breastfeeding among new mothers in Haiti to ensure the protection of the youngest and most vulnerable survivors of the devastating January 12 earthquake.

 The agency has translated internationally recognized public health messages into Creole, which are currently being broadcast on local radio stations.

 Critical Awareness Campaign Available to Health-focused Groups in Haiti

 Save the Children is making these critical communications available to other health-focused groups that are also working with local communities affected by the disaster. Its health staff in Haiti will translate other public health messages over the coming days and coordinate with partners and communities to spread the word about keeping children healthy in the wake of the quake.

 Save the Children also is training midwives, health workers and nutritional educators to reach out to pregnant and new mothers at makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacmel. 

 ”Newborns and infants are very vulnerable during emergencies, especially from diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. But mothers can take simple steps to protect their baby’s health through exclusive and proper breastfeeding,” said Kathryn Bolles, Save the Children’s emergency health and nutrition director. “Breast milk provides essential nutrients and strengthens a baby’s immunity, protecting the baby from other illnesses.”

 Health Risks from Infant Formulas and Other Supplements 

 The health messages encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed babies under 6 months of age, and to continue to breastfeed children until age 2.

 Mothers are cautioned against giving babies under 6 months of age anything but breast milk — including water, infant formula, powdered milk or solid food — because of the risks from diarrhea, one of the leading killers of children globally, and because of the risk of becoming malnourished, which leaves babies more susceptible to other illnesses. 

 ”Mothers may not be aware of the threats that infant formula and other supplements pose to their babies. Tainted water used to mix the formula and unsanitary bottles or cups can cause a baby to get sick with diarrhea, which can kill,” said Bolles. “We hope more Haitian mothers will hear our health messages and be encouraged to breastfeed their babies.  We also are suggesting mothers seek out support and counseling from organizations like Save the Children if they are having difficulty breastfeeding their baby.”

 The awareness campaign also seeks to dispel the myths that may discourage mothers from breastfeeding, among them stress or lack of proper food will cause a mother to produce bad milk or no milk. Instead, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed more often, which will allow them to produce more milk for their baby. 

 Extremely Poor Survival rates for Haitian Children Prior to Earthquake

 Even before the earthquake, survival rates for young Haitian children were the worst in the Western Hemisphere, with nearly 1 in 10 children dying before the age of 5 from preventable and treatable causes like diarrhea and pneumonia.  

 Save the Children supports the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations that children should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life to ensure their most favorable growth and health. WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF guidelines only recommend “replacement feeding” (breastmilk substitute) when it is “acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe.” 

 Save the Children has worked in Haiti since 1978 and currently has more than 200 staff in the country.

 Please Help Us Respond to the Haiti Emergency by Donating Now

 Donate any amount at www.savethechildren.org or by calling 1-800-728-3843 or 1-203-221-4030.

 OR DONATE $10 BY TEXTING “SAVE” to 20222 (U.S. Only)

 Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 29 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SIF to Help Deliver Vital Medical Care and Resources to Earthquake Survivors

 ZURICH, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ — The Starr International Foundation (SIF) today announced $1 million in grants to two humanitarian organizations providing critical relief in Haiti. The grants to Partners in Health and the International Rescue Committee support efforts to deliver much-needed medical care, clean water and sanitation to survivors of the devastating earthquake.

 SIF made a $750,000 grant to Partners in Health (PIH) to help the organization deliver medical care to communities devastated by the earthquake.  With more than 100 doctors, 600 nurses and 4,000 employees on the ground in Haiti working from 12 existing PIH hospitals which were largely unaffected by the recent earthquake, PIH was among the first emergency medical responders to provide relief services. PIH is currently working to strengthen available medical care in Port-au-Prince and to increase its capacity to treat more serious cases at PIH facilities outside the city. To learn more, visit www.pih.org.

 SIF also donated $250,000 to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support efforts to assist overwhelmed local aid groups in providing medical care, clean water, and sanitation to earthquake survivors. Visit www.theirc.org for more information.

 About the Starr International Foundation

The Starr International Foundation, a charitable organization based in Switzerland, is dedicated to supporting a broad range of educational, environmental, artistic, cultural, medical, humanitarian and other charitable institutions in Switzerland and around the world.  Since 2006, SIF has made more than $27 million in charitable donations and commitments.  SIF is the sole common stockholder of Starr International Company, Inc. (”Starr International”). 

 The Board of the Foundation consists of Otto Saxer (President), former chief executive officer of Swiss Mobiliar; John C. Whitehead, former co-chairman of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State; Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg, chairman of Starr International and the retired chairman and CEO of American International Group, Inc.; Jeffrey Greenberg, chairman of Aquiline Holdings; Florence Davis, president of The Starr Foundation; Edward E. Matthews, director and vice-chairman of Starr International and the retired vice chairman of American International Group, Inc.; and Heinz Eggenberger, retired general manager and legal representative of AIG Europe.

Manufacturer Teams Up With Suppliers And Will Donate Several Thousand “WorldBeds” A Week To People In Need

CORONA, Calif., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ – Leading U.S. memory foam mattress manufacturer Anatomic Global said today it has joined with five of its key suppliers and Parakletos International to donate specially designed “transitional” sleep surface products to displaced Haitians.  Parakletos, a national cooperative effort of the Calvary Chapel Churches, has already delivered the first of these “WorldBed” products to a clinic in Jacmel, Southern Haiti, an area still cut off from Port-au-Prince and without aid from any outside resource. At the same time, another 500 “WorldBeds” are being shipped this week.

 Several thousand of these transitional mattress products will continue to be shipped until the company reaches its goal of supplying 200,000 pieces, which is what Anatomic Global expects the Haitian need to be in the coming months.

 The specially designed, cot-sized mattresses are made of visco-memory foam and conventional foam. To provide moisture resistance during the upcoming rainy season, the beds are encased in a rugged nylon and vinyl cover. Each WorldBed also has a carry strap so it can be rolled and secured and actually carried over one’s shoulder, a feature that anticipates the camp and migration issues that lay ahead for the Haitians.

 Joining Anatomic Global in this initiative are its key suppliers, FXI Foamex Innovations, UPS, Deslee Textiles USA, Royal Packaging and the Brookwood Companies.  For the group, this is the second such time they have manufactured the WorldBed, the first being in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when they made 3,000 units that ended up benefitting more than 11,000 temporary residents of the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana.

 In addition to this announcement, Anatomic Global said it was re-investing its corporate profits from all operations for the first quarter of 2010 to manufacture WorldBeds for Haitian relief.

 ”There has never been concentrated destruction and human tragedy of the scale seen in Haiti. We learned from our Katrina relief effort that in the early stages of a disaster, there are very specific sleep surface needs that align with FEMA’s sustainable disaster relief phases, that displaced persons require and we wanted to use that expertise to help – and do it quickly,” said Anatomic Global CEO David Farley. “This effort is part of Anatomic Global’s corporate genetic code and we are grateful to our business partners who share this responsibility with us.”

 Farley said that many of Anatomic Global’s distributors and retailers were also in the process of joining the program along with other suppliers. He has also welcomed other mattress manufacturers to work with Anatomic Global on this initiative.  Each product includes care and use instructions and an announcement in English, French and Creole, stating it is a gift from members of the U.S. bedding industry.

 ”We welcome everyone to join with us in this critical project. We have developed the specifications, manufacturing and logistical program and welcome the participation of others in this effort,” he added.

 Founded in 1989, Anatomic Global, Inc. sets itself apart by raising the bar on the manufacture and supply of “proudly made in the USA” environmentally-friendly mattresses and bedding.  The company upholds a 360-degree green manufacturing commitment in three ways – by developing applications for its innovative and sustainable plant-based formulas; by leading the industry with its zero-air emissions manufacturing process; and by applying the most efficient direct-to-store and consumer-direct delivery methods for a reduced carbon footprint.

 In 2008, the company launched the Ecomfort Mattress brand of mattresses featuring its signature, patented EcoMemoryFoam™ extreme open-cell plant-based memory foam.  For more information, visit www.ecomfortmattress.com.

BONN, Germany, and PLANTATION, Florida, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ — DHL advises members of the media that they may download the following photo at no charge from the online archive below:

– NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100125/MXM002

   Caption:  Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading mail and logistics services group, has moved its main DRT outpost from Haiti to the Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The team continues to unload humanitarian aid flights daily totaling over 100 tons of relief goods per day including cases of water and medical supplies.

 PHOTO Credit: DHL DRT Team (PRNewsFoto)

 The DRT:

    — Is managing a 3000 sq. meter warehouse for other non-government organizations (NGOs) to store and sort incoming aid.

    — Has flown five forklifts into Santo Domingo from Caracas, Venezuela to help transfer air goods from aircraft pallets to container trucks bound for Haiti.

    — Is stressing the importance that all cargo flights have pre-arranged onward transportation from the Dominican Republic into Haiti as warehouse capabilities are extremely limited and all ground transportation needs to be escorted.

  DHL DRT is proud of its partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in the area of Disaster Management and will continue the strong collaboration to support humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

 SOURCE  DHL

    -0-                                01/25/2010

    /NOTE TO EDITORS:  For Media inquiries and/or for interview requests with Gilberto Castro, Manager DRT Americas, and Chris Weeks, Director of Humanitarian Affairs, DHL, contact Michele Mobley/

commitment to Haiti relief efforts to $2.25 million, up from an initial pledge of $1 million. The Rev. John Nunes, LWR’s president and CEO, said the increase is “thanks to the overwhelming generosity of U.S. Lutherans in the face of this disaster.”

 LWR increased the number based on early fundraising returns, including pledges from both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, and a member match from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

 LWR is working with partners on the ground to ensure people have food, water and shelter. LWR has also sent a shipment of health kits and layettes, and is mobilizing more resources for future shipments. LWR partners active on the ground include Action by Churches Together members Lutheran World Federation, Church World Service, Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Aid.

 LWR is also planning for a longer-term response of at least three to five years, focusing mainly on underserved rural areas outside Port-au-Prince. The earthquake also affected many of these areas, and even those communities that did not sustain damage in the quake will be strained by the anticipated migration of hundreds of thousands of people leaving the Port-au-Prince area. 

 ”The needs are great, and they will continue to be great for a long while,” Nunes said. “LWR is known for being in it for the long haul – remaining with affected communities long after the media and other aid agencies have moved on. We were already working in Haiti before the quake, and we will be walking with these communities for years to come as they work to rebuild their lives.”

 To donate to the relief effort, please visit www.lwr.org, call 1-800-597-5972, or mail a check or money order to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA. You can also make an immediate $10 donation by texting “LWR” to 40579.

 WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world’s most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

 Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Maison Fortune Orphanage, located near the city of Hinche in the central plateau region of Haiti, announced today plans for an expansion effort to better accommodate growing need after the recent devastating earthquakes. This planned expansion will increase capacity to support displaced children and will also provide employment opportunities for area citizens.

 The main goals of this announced expansion are to provide food, shelter, clothing and other needs to children from the Port-au-Prince area. Maison Fortune has witnessed a large growth in the number of children migrating to the Hinche area following the loss of their homes and families due to the recent earthquakes. By offering employment to local residents, the orphanage also hopes to increase economic stabilization in the region.

 Specific strategic goals include:

• Increasing facility capacity and identifying additional buildings to lease.
• Identifying and hiring appropriate staff to support additional children.
• Developing and executing a sub-plan, in coordination with the Orphanage Director and Board, to feed, house and educate additional children for up to a year.
• Secure funding to continue the above into future years.

 Cosmas Rubencamp, Foundation Secretary, provided the following comment based from his recent trip to the effected region, “The situation is desperate. We need to move quickly to find shelter for these displaced children.”

 About Maison Fortune Orphanage

 The Maison Orphanage Foundation, Inc. is a Chesapeake, VA based, recognized IRS 501(c) (3) charity established in 2000. Administrative costs of the organization equal 1.1 cents per each dollar contributed. The Director of the Foundation is a Haitian, Virginia Tech graduate, who began with a dream of starting and growing the orphanage to help aid the homeless children in the impoverished region. He began with 2 boys and now has over 150 residents at the center’s complex in Hinche. In addition, over 100 students from the surrounding community attend classes and receive hot meals daily from the orphanage.

 To make a donation in the expansion effort of the Maison Fortune Orphanage:

 Mail checks to: Treasurer, Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation

P O Box 3092

Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

 For credit cards and on line giving, visit the web site, http://www.mfofoundation.org

 Right column under News Briefs, click on “Assist in Disaster Relief”.

LEHIGHTON, Pa., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As the world responds to the Haitian earthquakes, the Deaf Welcome Foundation (DWF), already serving the multiracial American Deaf population, is inviting relief workers, survivors and families to join their NEW Deaf Welcome Network for communication and association over the Internet, with certified multilingual interpreters, whenever it is deemed necessary.

 Relief workers have arrived from dozens of countries. Communication has been a problem. The Deaf Welcome Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity,  wants to provide a communication platform for Haitian survivors to reach family and friends to let them know they are safe and communicate with foreign relief workers.   The DWF has partnered with translation services to provide access through multilingual certified interpreters of Haitian Creole, Haitian Sign Language, English, French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language, as well as over 150 other languages in the Deaf Welcome Network.

 Donations will fund translators, laptops and solar power chargers.  DWF will send technology enabled computers to Haiti with rescue workers and medical teams to use as tools to communicate back to families and professionals in the United States.

 See www.deafwelcome.org to donate or for more information.

See www.cognitionpartners.com/clearvision for more information.

 Coincidentally, the charity is hosting its ribbon-cutting of the Deaf Welcome Network for Pennsylvania dignitaries, Deaf professionals with a LIVE studio audience on Equal Access Sign Language TV this Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the newly opened Deaf Welcome Center, 206 N Sgt Stanley Hoffman Blvd, Lehighton, PA 18235 at 7:00 PM.

 Unlike traditional video relay service, currently used by millions of Deaf Americans, the Deaf Welcome Network, powered by High Speed Video, allows hearing and Deaf callers to send their image and audio to the Relay Center.  The caller then speaks and/or signs their message to a certified translator who connects the audio and video to the person or person(s) called.  Multiple participants can see the translator and each other on a PC and or at a DWF kiosk. “This is the best use of broadcast video conferencing that I’ve ever experienced,” Michael Maresca, President of High Speed Video, commented.

 ”Everyone deserves equal access to relief workers and medical personnel,” stated Theressa DuBois, Founder & CEO of the Deaf Welcome Foundation.  ”The Deaf Welcome Network will be extremely useful in Haiti.  It’s hard to imagine receiving medical treatment without the benefit of understanding the ones treating you.” The DWF is accepting donations to install Deaf Welcome Centers throughout the United States for communication, training, services, and entertainment. “The Deaf Welcome Network can assist Haiti’s 90,000 Deaf and their families too.”

 About the Deaf Welcome Foundation (DWF)

The DWF was founded in 2004 to enhance the lives of the Deaf, Hard-of-hearing and their families, throughout America with training, accessibility, and entertainment.  The charity’s award-winning Sign Language Talk show, Equal Access Sign Language Television, is hosted by Theressa DuBois in American Sign Language and English. The show airs in NY, NJ, PA, with selected episodes Online.  There has been growing demand for a national broadcast.  www.deafwelcome.org/watch_sign_language_tv.htm

 About ClearVision Technology

High Speed Video (HSV) provides high definition (HD) video conferencing services using a patented technology to hardware-and software-based clients. ClearVision, its software-based solution, provides HD video conferencing capabilities using broadband internet.   Cognition Partners, marketing agent for ClearVision technology, provides business development, marketing and media services for ClearVision Technology.  See www.cognitionpartners.com/clearvision for more information.

 NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Thwapr, the mobile-to-mobile video sharing platform, is offering operational assistance and its free communications service to relief organizations, government agencies, and families to send and receive videos and photos directly between Haiti and the US and Canada.

 Users should email photos and videos from a mobile phone to [email protected] with requested mobile phone number(s) for recipients.  Thwapr will support the individual delivery of each video or photo as requested to compatible handsets (http://bit.ly/89l0G9).

 While traditional landline and cellular voice/phone services have been impacted during the crisis in Haiti, mobile data and text services are more than 80% operational.  Given this context the service can be used by any organization or individual to send critical information on environmental conditions, site surveys, or family member status via videos or photos. Thwapr is already working with teams supporting Haiti search and rescue operations.

 ”This is a devastating tragedy and we want to do what we can to help,” said Bruce Goldstein, CEO of Thwapr. “Mobile data is likely to be the only form of Internet connectivity people in Haiti may have for some time and so the ability to share photos and videos on mobile devices may be particularly useful while ground-based network infrastructure is impacted.”

WHO:  Relief workers trying to help families reunite, government workers

      doing site surveys, individuals trying to reach loved ones

HOW:  From video and Web enabled mobile phone (or computer) email files

      to [email protected] along with the mobile number of the

      desired recipient

 WHY:  Because alternate means of sending mobile video and photos may not

      be reliable and ground- based data infrastructure services may not

      be functional

 About Thwapr, Inc.

Thwapr is the first true mobile-to-mobile video sharing communications platform.  Thwapr’s mission is to provide a social mobile video sharing experience regardless of carrier or device worldwide.  Developed by founding members of Apple’s QuickTime team and technologists from AVID/Digidesign and MTV, Thwapr’s patent-pending technology allows mobile users to send video “Thwaps” captured with their device to any other mobile users, easily and instantly.  The company is privately held.  For more information and to register for Thwapr, please visit www.thwapr.com on your mobile phone or computer. Follow Thwapr @ www.twitter.com/thwapr or become a fan at www.facebook.com/thwapr.

MT LAUREL, N.J., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — AmeriHealth New Jersey is sponsoring a physician’s medical mission to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, through “Project Haiti Heart” (www.projecthaitiheart.org), an organization that provides humanitarian and medical aid to Haiti, which has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. 

 The physician — Jason B. Litten, MD, brother of local AmeriHealth New Jersey executive Brian Litten — is on route to Haiti, supported by funds provided by AmeriHealth New Jersey for airfare and essential materials such as a sleeping bag, insect repellent, mosquito tents and other items. 

 Over the course of the ten day trip, Dr. Litten will be part of a team providing whatever medical services are required upon their arrival, joining other medical professionals from around the world who are donating their time and expertise to help Haiti at its time of great need.

 ”My goal is to serve in any way I can,” said Dr. Litten.  “I believe that most physicians would do the same if their obligations allowed them.  I’m able to go, for which I feel fortunate.”

 ”Naturally, we’re all touched by the tragedy in Haiti, and as part of the healthcare industry, AmeriHealth New Jersey wanted to somehow contribute to the rescue effort,” said Judith Roman, president and CEO.  “When Dr. Litten volunteered to fly to Haiti this week, we saw that as an opportunity to support the rescue effort through one of our AmeriHealth ‘extended family’ members.”

 About AmeriHealth New Jersey

 AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. and AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey (collectively, “AmeriHealth New Jersey”) provide health insurance coverage to employers and individuals throughout New Jersey. AmeriHealth New Jersey has one of the largest provider networks in New Jersey, and those networks include access to hospitals and doctors across the nation. The company is also committed to offering value-added insurance solutions for customers through AmeriHealth New Jersey’s innovative wellness and incentive programs and benefits designs.

 AmeriHealth New Jersey earned top ratings for customer service and quality of care as part of the state’s recent health plan performance report. Additionally, the company’s managed care plan, AmeriHealth HMO Inc., has received the highest possible accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) by meeting NCQA’s rigorous evaluation standards.

 AmeriHealth New Jersey has offices in Mt. Laurel and Iselin. For more information on AmeriHealth New Jersey, visit www.AmeriHealth.com .

 NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — JA Apparel Corp. announced today that it will initiate a week-long, nation-wide promotion to benefit Haiti and other victims of humanitarian crises through Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres, the medical humanitarian organization.

 Beginning Sunday, January 24th and continuing through Saturday, January 30th, Joseph Abboud® will donate a portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of all Joseph Abboud® suiting purchased at any of Nordstrom’s 181 stores nationwide including Nordstrom Rack stores as well as online at Nordstrom.com to Doctors Without Borders.

 JA Apparel Corp.’s decision to collaborate with Nordstrom represents one of the industry’s most ambitious charitable efforts on behalf of Haiti to date. “We at Joseph Abboud are proud to associate with Nordstrom and to do our part in ensuring Haiti’s full recovery and helping victims of crises around the world,” said Marty Staff, President & CEO of JA Apparel Corp.  “As a key Nordstrom supplier, we feel they represent the very best in our society: honest, of high integrity and smart.  We are proud to contribute a portion of our sales at Nordstrom to Doctors Without Borders.  Our combined effort creates an impactful team, and we will continue to help in any way we can,” he concluded.

 About JA Apparel Corp.

The Joseph Abboud Brand embodies sophisticated American style for traditional menswear. The Joseph Abboud brand instills confidence through tailored collections and unique sportswear that are crafted from the world’s finest fabrics and defined by superior fit, exceptional quality and remarkable luxurious style.

Since 2004, the Company has made a successful transition from men’s suit designer to global lifestyle brand. Joseph Abboud can now outfit a man in style throughout his entire life, thanks to lines of clothing for men and boys and a growing collection of casual wear. In addition, the Company has an expanding universe of products ranging from luggage to footwear to eyewear to home furnishings. Abboud brand names include Joseph Abboud, JOE Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud BOYS, and Joseph Abboud Home.

 Joseph Abboud branded products are available in superior department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States, China, Indonesia, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan, as well as other countries.  www.josephabboud.com

 About Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971.

 Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 70 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols. In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work.  www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

BOSTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Alan Lewis, Chairman of Grand Circle Corporation, which owns Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, today reported that $517,719 has been donated by their charitable arm, Grand Circle Foundation, and by more than 4,000 travelers (4,029) in support of Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.  The funds will be used to provide water and food to earthquake survivors.

 In a one week period, Grand Circle travelers, mostly retired Americans in their late 60s, 70s, and 80s, donated $367,719, including $346,267 donated by 3,536 travelers during a 96-hour period that began last Thursday, January 14.  Their generous response came quickly after an email from Grand Circle Foundation invited travelers to donate to the Red Cross through the Foundation during a given time period to receive a 100% match. The matching period raised $150,000 and Grand Circle Foundation matched that for a total donation of $517,719 to the American Red Cross of Mass. Bay.

 ”These donors are mostly retired, middle class Americans in their late 60s, 70s, and 80s,” said Mr. Lewis.  “While most are not wealthy, as travelers they consider themselves to be global citizens and, when called, will always do what they can to help.  I have always considered our travelers to be America’s greatest generation, and their actions this past week further confirm that.”

 Alan and Harriet Lewis established Grand Circle Foundation in 1992 as a way to give back to the countries through which Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel customers travel.  Since then, the Foundation has pledged or donated more than $47 million worldwide to support the education of young people and the preservation of cultural treasures and traditions.  Currently, the Foundation supports more than 80 schools and educational institutions serving youth in more than 60 countries.  Fore more information, please visit our new website: www.grandcirclefoundation.org.

NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX), the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for U.S. and European high-grade corporate bonds, emerging markets bonds and other types of fixed-income securities, today announced it raised $178,000 for the American Red Cross through its Haiti Charity Trading Day that took place on January 21, 2010.

 ”We are extremely thankful to our investor and dealer clients for their remarkable support,” said Richard M. McVey, chairman and chief executive officer of MarketAxess. “We are fortunate to have a strong global community of fixed income professionals that came together to make our Haiti Charity Trading Day a tremendous success.”

 The funds raised will be contributed to the American Red Cross to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for Company and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company’s future financial and operating performance.  These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess’ current expectations.  Actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including:  our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; the variability of our growth rate; our limited operating history; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the absolute level and direction of interest rates and the corresponding volatility in the corporate fixed-income market; our ability to develop new products and offerings and the market’s acceptance of those products; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our broker-dealer clients in which we act as an intermediary in matching back-to-back trades; and other factors.  The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ, perhaps materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition in any such forward-looking statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess’ business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess’ periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com. 

 About MarketAxess

MarketAxess operates a leading electronic trading platform that enables investment industry professionals to efficiently trade corporate bonds and other types of fixed-income instruments.   MarketAxess’ patented trading technology allows institutional investor clients to request competitive, executable bids or offers from multiple broker-dealers simultaneously, and to execute trades with the broker-dealer of their choice.  Approximately 700 institutional investors are active users of the MarketAxess trading platform, accessing the global liquidity provided by MarketAxess’ 67 broker-dealer clients in U.S. high-grade corporate bonds, European bonds, high yield and emerging markets bonds, agency bonds and credit default swaps.  MarketAxess also offers a number of trading-related products and services, including: market data to assist clients with trading decisions; connectivity solutions that facilitate straight-through processing; technology services to optimize trading environments; and execution services for exchange-traded fund managers and other clients.  

 MarketAxess maintains its headquarters in New York and has offices in London, Chicago and Salt Lake City.  For more information, please visit www.marketaxess.com.

 About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

- Youth Foundation to Match Customer Donations up to $50,000

- Company to Match Employee Donations up to $25,000

 - Gently Used Shoe Collection Underway at all Finish Line Store Locations

 INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti last week, The Finish Line (Nasdaq: FINL), the Finish Line Youth Foundation, its customers, employees and charitable partners are mobilizing to lend support to the many victims of this tragedy.

 Finish Line began collecting monetary donations on January 7, 2010 in its stores and at www.finishline.com for Samaritan’s Feet, a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing shoes for impoverished children around the world. In response to this catastrophe, Samaritan’s Feet will redirect $50,000 from the current collection drive to help distribute shoes specifically for the people of Haiti.

 The Finish Line Youth Foundation will, in turn, match monetary donations from customers up to the first $50,000 collected. These funds will be distributed to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger, in an effort to bring a small measure of comfort to the Haitian people.

 Finish Line will also be collecting donations from its more than 12,000 employees. The company, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, will match the relief contributions of its associates up to the first $25,000. Donations from employees also will be distributed to Action Against Hunger to purchase and distribute desperately needed humanitarian supplies. 

 Customers can also donate gently used pairs of shoes at any of our retail locations. The donation of shoes is being coordinated with our partners at Soles4Souls, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to impacting as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Soles4Souls has pledged to collect 1 million pairs of new and used boots and shoes for Haitian earthquake survivors. Finish Line is pleased to assist Soles4Souls in reaching this goal. In the past two years, Finish Line and its customers have donated approximately 200,000 pairs of shoes to those in need around the world.

 ”Our employees, customers, vendors and charitable partners have all been moved by the tragic images and stories coming from Haiti,” said Glenn Lyon, Finish Line chief executive officer. Lyon continues, “We are eager to do our part to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.” As Gary Cohen, chief administrative officer and secretary explains, “The needs are so great … especially among the children in Haiti. Consistent with the mission of our Finish Line Youth Foundation, we feel a special responsibility to support organizations like Action Against Hunger that provide essentials like food, clean drinking water and other humanitarian supplies that can make a critical difference in the lives of Haitian children.”

 About Finish Line

The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium athletic footwear store and one of the nation’s largest mall-based specialty retailers, offering a large selection of performance and everyday sport footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. The Finish Line, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FINL. The company operates 679 Finish Line stores in 47 states and offers online shopping at www.finishline.com.

 About Finish Line Youth Foundation  

The Finish Line Youth Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of youth in the communities where employees and customers live, work and play. The Youth Foundation funds non-profit organizations that provide opportunities for kids to participate in community-based youth athletic programs and camps that emphasize sports and active lifestyles, especially programs that serve disadvantaged and special needs kids.  For more information about Finish Line or Finish Line Youth Foundation, go to www.finishline.com/youthfoundation.

 About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year.

 About Samaritan’s Feet

Samaritan’s Feet, based in Charlotte, NC, is a humanitarian, non-profit relief organization dedicated to taking a life-changing message of hope and equipping the feet of impoverished children in the United States and around the world with shoes. Our focus is on children from United States, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

 About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.  We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

ATLANTA, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Foot Solutions, on behalf of Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to people in desperate need,  has now reached an estimated 100,000 pairs of donated shoes.   Shortly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Foot Solutions stores asked the public to drop off their gently used shoes at any of their 240 worldwide locations and/or to contribute monetary donations for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  In an incredible outpouring of support, the public responded by donating 100,000 pairs of shoes in just over one week.  The shoes will be shipped to help the victims of the earthquake, many of whom lost everything.

 ”Like so many others, we want to do everything we can to help, “said Ray Margiano, Foot Solutions CEO and Founder.  “Almost everyone has shoes in their closet that they don’t use and donating them is a great way  to help those who can’t or don’t feel comfortable donating money.  And as we are in the business of helping people find  solutions to health issues through footwear this cause is a perfect fit for us.”

 To find the participating location nearest you log on to www.footsolutions.com or call 1-888-FIT-FOOT.

 About Foot Solutions

Foot Solutions, a worldwide franchise company dedicated to helping people achieve better health through their feet, is a recognized leader in specialty footwear and custom inserts. The company focuses on providing a full line of quality shoes, arch supports and foot care accessories for all customer lifestyles.  Since March 2009, Foot Solutions stores, through its affiliation with Soles4Souls, have already collected nearly 17,000 pairs of shoes for people in need worldwide. For more information, visit www.footsolutions.com.

 About Soles4Souls™

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.  Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner’s World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide and The New York Times.  It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

TORONTO, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ – RBC today announced that the RBC Blue Water Project will commit $1 million to support the efforts of ONE DROP and Oxfam to provide access to water and sanitation to the people of Haiti and rebuild small water and sanitation infrastructure in the country.

“The outpouring of support by citizens, governments and companies worldwide to help immediate relief efforts in Haiti has been overwhelming,” said Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. “But we know that the people of Haiti will need our support for years to come, as the need for emergency relief subsides, and the priorities for longer-term solutions become more clear in the months and years ahead. In anticipation of the massive work ahead, the RBC Blue Water Project will support the efforts of ONE DROP and its partner Oxfam-Quebec in Haiti to fund programs to mitigate the tremendous water and sanitation challenges faced by the country.”

As part of an ambitious project developed by Oxfam-Quebec, ONE DROP’s Project Haiti will be carried out over a three-year period. Its objective will be to provide sustainable access to water and sanitation, restore small hydraulic and sanitation infrastructures and, through the arts, raise the awareness of thousands of Haitians on the importance of managing water soundly. These are all essential conditions for building a better tomorrow for future generations. ONE DROP and Oxfam-Quebec are currently working out the details of the project.

RBC is a founding corporate partner of ONE DROP, with a pledge of $10 million over 10 years to help fund on-the-ground water projects and awareness programs as needed around the world. Funding for this Haitian project will come from that commitment. RBC has also funded a ONE DROP watershed protection and conservation project in Honduras totalling $1.5 million.

 RBC also announced that on Friday, January 22, 2010, more than 250 RBC employees in Winnipeg, Mississauga, Montreal and Moncton will volunteer their time to handle phone donations to support the Canada for Haiti event. This signature Canadian event is a one hour live national broadcast with CTV, CBC and Global, on Friday, January 22, 2010, airing at 7:00 p.m. EST. RBC employees will continue to accept Canadian phone donations during the broadcast of the “Hope for Haiti Now” benefit organized by George Clooney, airing on these networks.

The RBC Blue Water Project was launched in 2007 to help foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada and abroad, and includes a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to programs supporting watershed protection and access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than $20.48 million in single and multi-year grants to 155 organizations, including ONE DROP.

RBC is recognized among the world’s financial, social and environmental leaders and is included on the Dow Jones World and North American Sustainability Indices, the Jantzi Social Index, the FTSE4Good Index and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations ranking. In 2009, RBC contributed more than $105 million to community causes worldwide, through donations of more than $52.6 million, and an additional $52.5 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.

For more, visit rbc.com/bluewater.

SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Goya Foods, Inc. the Largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States announced its relief efforts for the victims of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti. Goya, which has a long history of responding to natural disasters around the globe, mobilized immediately after tragedy struck on January 12th. Goya Puerto Rico brought much-needed personnel and supplies to Port-au-Prince and Goya Dominican Republic has been coordinating with Haitian authorities to send food and supplies over the border. Facilities that are participating in the relief effort on the mainland include Goya Foods in Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.  These coordinated efforts will bring over 300,000 pounds of food items to the earthquake victims.

One of the organizations Goya is working with to provide food supplies to the people of Haiti is Florida-based Food for the Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. “We are so very grateful for Goya reaching out at this time to the people of Haiti, who are desperate now more than ever for something to eat,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “This generous donation will allow us to expedite much needed food and get it into the hands of the hungry.”

 Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods, adds “We are profoundly moved by the suffering our brothers and sisters in Haiti are experiencing. The loss of life and the devastation that has affected so many families is unimaginable.  We at Goya are keeping them in our thoughts and in our prayers as they struggle through this terrible tragedy.”

ABOUT GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures packages and distributes over 1,600 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

 AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ — The Chrysler Foundation gives $50,000 each to Oxfam America and the United States Fund for UNICEF to assist with life-saving and recovery operations in Haiti

• Chrysler Group LLC dealers in Puerto Rico are accepting household and non-perishable food items
• Chrysler Group continues to support Haiti relief efforts through initiatives with its employees, dealers and retirees 

The Chrysler Foundation has donated $50,000 to both Oxfam America and the United States Fund for UNICEF to support their earthquake relief and recovery efforts for the residents of Haiti. The Company also continues to support Haiti relief efforts through initiatives with its employees, dealers and retirees.

 ”The Chrysler Foundation expresses support to the people of Haiti who are struggling to recover from this devastating earthquake,” said Brian Glowiak, Head of The Chrysler Foundation. “Many relief organizations such as Oxfam America and UNICEF are gathering resources for immediate support to the impoverished nation, as well as in the long term as Haiti works to rebuild its infrastructure and the Haitian citizens work to rebuild their lives and communities.”

 Chrysler Group LLC is participating in a series of other initiatives supporting Haiti relief efforts including:

• In Puerto Rico, Chrysler Group LLC dealerships have established on-site collection centers where residents may donate household and non-perishable food items.
• In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Company organized a series of volunteer activities for employees in the Detroit and Toledo regions. In addition to benefiting the local communities where Chrysler Group facilities are located, the Martin Luther King Jr. service project conducted at Michigan-based World Medical Relief on Wednesday, Jan. 20, will benefit Haitian relief efforts by providing donated medical supplies.

 The Chrysler Foundation will also collect donation checks from Chrysler Group employees, dealers and retirees who are interested in contributing to Oxfam or UNICEF, allowing the Company’s extended organization to stand together in its support of Haiti relief efforts.

 People interested in donating to Oxfam may call 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326) or visit online at www.oxfamamerica.org. Those interested in donating to UNICEF, may visit www.unicefusa.org or call 1.800.FOR.KIDS.

About The Chrysler Foundation

During the past 56 years, The Chrysler Foundation has established a proud legacy of enriching the physical, educational and cultural needs of local communities in which Chrysler Group LLC conducts business. Chrysler employees also have a strong commitment to helping improve their communities by volunteering their time and talents in the places where we live and work.

 Since its inception, The Chrysler Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in charitable grants.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  For more information, please visit the Chrysler media site at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

Company’s employee matching program is latest effort to aid people of Haiti; Early relief efforts included leveraging American Red Cross and MedShare partnerships, product donations

 DALLAS, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — As relief efforts continue following the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today announced a global employee donation matching program. Through the Kimberly-Clark Employee Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, the company’s worldwide employees can direct their contributions to the American Red Cross to support its Haitian relief efforts. Kimberly-Clark will then match all employee donations worldwide dollar-for-dollar up to $300,000.

 The employee matching program is just the latest step Kimberly-Clark has taken in its disaster relief efforts for the people of Haiti. Other efforts have included partnering with the American Red Cross and MedShare (www.medshare.org) and mobilizing product donations.

 ”Like many others around the world, we are committed to helping those who are suffering after the devastation of the recent earthquakes,” said Tom Falk, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark.  “It is our hope that Kimberly-Clark’s contributions, combined with the humanitarian efforts of the world’s aid organizations, will help the people affected by this tragedy.”

 In addition to the employee matching program, Kimberly-Clark’s other Haiti disaster relief efforts have included:

• Being a leading corporate partner of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP).  A portion of Kimberly-Clark’s gift is designated for the American Red Cross’ International Disaster Fund.  So far, the American Red Cross has contributed $10 million to relief efforts in Haiti as well as set up a field hospital and three basic health care emergency response units to provide medical care. Kimberly-Clark is proud to stand beside the Red Cross as it helps those affected by the earthquake.
• Working closely with our nonprofit partner, MedShare (www.medshare.org), to sponsor a shipment of first aid supplies, orthopedics, steel instruments and drug administrative supplies. The supplies have been delivered to a 100-bed hospital on the Haitian-Dominican Republic border and are being used to treat more than 1,800 earthquake victims.
• Assembling a significant donation of much-needed Kimberly-Clark health care products, diapers, feminine care and tissue products from our local operations in the Dominican Republic.  Additional product is being assembled and will be shipped as soon as the logistics and infrastructure improve.

 Kimberly-Clark will continue to monitor ongoing relief efforts through our Dominican Republic operations and nonprofit partners and, where possible, continue to assist our neighbors and communities rebuild in the aftermath of this disaster.

 About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people – nearly a quarter of the world’s population – trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company’s 138-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (NYSE: HGR) and its philanthropic organization The Hanger Ivan R. Sabel Foundation announced today that it will provide $250,000 in funding and orthopedic devices to assist with the medical needs of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. 

A direct cash donation of $25,000 and a contribution of $225,000 in orthopedic devices, including neck and back braces, limb immobilizers, fracture boots, wrist splints, and cervical collars, will be donated to two charitable organizations currently providing care in Haiti — Physicians for Peace and Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere). 

“We feel deeply for the people affected by this profound tragedy and we hope our contribution will help ease some of the suffering,” Hanger President and CEO Tom Kirk said.  “As the largest provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care, we see firsthand everyday the hope that can be instilled by restoring mobility and functionality to those with severe orthopedic injuries.  We will continue to work with Physicians for Peace and Project HOPE, as well as other non-profits, to define the clinical need and the logistics to provide care and services in Haiti.”

In addition to the funding and device donations, many of Hanger’s 1,100+ prosthetists and orthotists have expressed interest in providing care and clinical expertise in Haiti.

 To learn more about the aforementioned non-profit organizations receiving donations from Hanger for the people of Haiti, please visit Physicians for Peace www.physiciansforpeace.org and Project HOPE www.projecthope.org.  

 About Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.:

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (NYSE: HGR), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world’s premier provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services. Hanger is the market leader in the United States, owning and operating 669 patient care centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia, with over 3,700 employees including 1,095 practitioners (as of September 30, 2009). Hanger is organized into four units. The two key operating units are patient care, which consists of nationwide orthotic and prosthetic practice centers, and distribution, which consists of distribution centers managing the supply chain of orthotic and prosthetic componentry to Hanger and third party patient care centers. The third is Linkia, which is the first and only provider network management company for the orthotics and prosthetics industry. The fourth unit, Innovative Neurotronics, introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide. For more information on Innovative Neurotronics, Inc. or the WalkAide®, visit www.ininc.us. For more information on Hanger, visit www.hanger.com.

This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s revenues, contracts and operations. The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. Statements relating to future revenues, contracts and operations in this document reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the Company’s ability to enter into and derive benefits from managed care contracts, the demand for the Company’s orthotic and prosthetic services and products and the other factors identified in the Company’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.