FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Christina Fecher 616-735-7968christina.fecher@meijer.com
Meijer, Coca-Cola Team Up to Donate $50,000 in Gift Cards to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Donation will ensure 480 Chicago children receive a brighter Christmas
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (December 20, 2011) – Meijer is strongly committed to giving back to the communities it serves, and is proud to partner with Coca-Cola to help brighten the spirits of underprivileged Chicago children by fulfilling some of their Christmas wishes this holiday season, announced Brian Murty, Group Vice President of Operations for Meijer’s Western Region, today.
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer and Coca-Cola teamed up to donate $50,000 in gift cards to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. The gift cards will be used to purchase items the children, ages 6 to 18, need and want this holiday season.
“Meijer is proud to partner with Coca-Cola to support organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago that truly give so much to these children. We are pleased to help make their holiday a little brighter,” Murty said. “At Meijer, we believe very strongly in taking care of our communities and giving back to those in need.”
“Coca-Cola and Meijer are excited about this partnership opportunity, which allows us to provide much-needed winter clothing, supplies and gifts to club members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago,” said Mark Parzynski, vice president of Coca-Cola’s national retail sales – Meijer. “We hope this adds joy and happiness to their lives this holiday season.”
The children represent 16 Boys & Girls Clubs in the Chicago area, and will receive their gifts from 4:30-6 p.m. tonight at the James Jordan Club, 2102 W. Monroe St., in Chicago, Il.
“On behalf of the children we serve in Chicago’s most challenged communities, we are extremely grateful for the generosity of Meijer and Coca-Cola,” said James Keane, president and chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “They will bring smiles and happiness to our members, many of which may not otherwise receive a gift this holiday season.”
Annually, Meijer donates more than 6 percent of its net profits to charity. Meijer opened its first Chicago-area store in Bolingbrook in 1999, and with the addition of the Meijer Marketplace in Melrose Park in August 2011, Meijer now has 14 stores in the Chicago area ranging in size from full supercenters to smaller, grocery-focused stores in Niles and Orland Park. Meijer employs nearly 3,000 team members in the Chicago area.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, please visit www.bgcc.org.
About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 197 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/Meijer.
About The Coca-Cola Company: The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The Company’s portfolio includes 15 billion dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, as well as Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparking beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com
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