KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Aquila today contributed $320,000 to the American Red Cross as the company's matching portion of its Hurricane Katrina relief effort for persons affected in the Gulf area.
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In total, the Aquila program provided $640,000 to the relief effort -- $320,000 through employee, retiree and customer contributions, as well as $320,000 through Aquila's dollar-for-dollar match.
Rick Green, Aquila chairman and CEO, was joined by some of the donors from the company's multi-state service area in the check presentation to the Red Cross at the Greater Kansas City Chapter Headquarters.
"Aquila and its employees have supported American Red Cross relief efforts time and again following both local and national disasters," said Matt Meyer, chief executive officer of the Greater Kansas City Chapter. "Their continued generosity helps the Red Cross to provide services to those affected by disasters every day."
In presenting the check to the Red Cross, Aquila's chairman and CEO said: "We are thrilled with the generosity of our employees, retirees and customers wanting to assist those who are facing such difficult times because of these storms. The Red Cross has done a tremendous job in using donations effectively in helping persons who need it the most."
Aquila matched contributions to recognized charitable organizations for Hurricane Katrina relief. Aquila's matching dollars, totaling $320,000, have been donated to the American Red Cross. Aquila's matching program extended for two months before recently concluding.
Aquila employees and customers in many locations hosted fundraisers for hurricane relief and volunteered for local projects to supply necessities to families that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila operates electricity and natural gas distribution utilities serving 1.3 million customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The company also owns and operates power generation assets. More information about Aquila is available at www.aquila.com.
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