Nationwide Insurance Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to American Red Cross to Support Blood Collections and Disaster Response

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is giving a $1.3 million gift to the American Red Cross to support national and local disaster response and to increase blood collections.

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More than half of this year's contribution ($700,000) will go to Red Cross Disaster Relief, which will help mobilize volunteers and equipment to assist people wherever disasters occur. Another $350,000 will be divided among Red Cross chapters in 15 states for disaster preparedness and response.

The remaining $260,000 will be used to purchase a new bloodmobile for Northern Ohio Blood Services, headquartered in Cleveland. Over the years, Nationwide's funding for new bloodmobiles at several Red Cross blood regions has helped increase blood collections. Much of the country's blood supply comes from mobile collections and blood drives such as those sponsored by Nationwide. Nationwide employees give almost 12,000 units of blood every year at Red Cross blood drives all across the country.

"We are so thankful to the Nationwide Insurance Foundation for their continued support of the American Red Cross," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the Red Cross. "This generosity enables us to respond to communities when disaster occurs and to help patients who need life-saving blood."

This is the fifth consecutive year the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has given this unique grant to the Red Cross, providing support at a national level and in communities where Nationwide Insurance employees live and work.

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is a member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). ADGP members pledge donations on an ongoing basis, which enables the Red Cross to have supplies and systems in place to respond immediately when disaster strikes.

"The American Red Cross is there when people need help and hope during a disaster or medical emergency," said Chad Jester, president, Nationwide Insurance Foundation. "We share a common purpose of being there for people when disaster strikes, which makes American Red Cross a natural partner for Nationwide."

Nationwide has supported Red Cross disaster services for more than 25 years, and the company has supported the Red Cross blood program since 1948 when Central Ohio Blood Services began collecting blood.  Nationwide built upon its commitment to ensuring a sufficient blood supply by opening the first Red Cross corporate donor center at its Columbus headquarters in 1995.

Red Cross chapters who receive support from the Nationwide Insurance Foundation as part of this grant include the Stark County Chapter, American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, and Greater Cleveland Chapter in Ohio; Greater Carolinas Chapter and Triangle Area Chapter in North Carolina; the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter in Georgia; Cornhusker Chapter in Nebraska, American Red Cross of Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, Grand Canyon Chapter in Arizona, Central Iowa Chapter; Sacramento Sierra Chapter in California; San Antonio Area Chapter in Texas; Oregon Trail Chapter;  Greater Richmond Chapter in Virginia; Mile High Chapter in Colorado; Nashville Area Chapter in Tennessee; North Central Florida Chapter; and Central Maryland Chapter.

About the Nationwide Insurance Foundation

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies including Nationwide Insurance and Nationwide Financial. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has committed more than $270 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. Just as Nationwide supports its customers in their moment of need, the company's involvement in its home communities is focused on supporting organizations that help people facing critical or immediate need.

About Nationwide

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.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.

SOURCE American Red Cross