American Red Cross Hosts Heritage of Service Dinner

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, May 2008 — Tonight, the American Red Cross Heritage of Service Dinner will honor individuals, organizations and corporations whose outstanding dedication and commitment enables the organization to achieve its mission each and every day. This national recognition event, held at the historic American Red Cross Board of Governors Hall and Hall of Service, will bring together members of Congress, military leaders, Washington dignitaries, corporate representatives, and Red Cross partners and volunteers. State Farm® will be the presenting sponsor.

Leadership of the 2008 dinner includes Honorary Co-Chairs President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush; Dinner Chair General Richard B. Myers, USAF (RET); and Leadership Committee Co-Chairs Diane Bodman, Ivie Clay, Caryll Kyl, Marcelle Leahy, Deborah Mullen and Cynthia Rogers. General Myers and his wife, Mary Jo Myers, will emcee the event. The co-chairs will present the awards to the honorees.

Guests of the Heritage of Service Dinner will celebrate and honor the contributions of six partner corporations, organizations and a Red Cross volunteer for their excellence in supporting multiple Red Cross programs and services. FedEx Corporation will be recognized for its involvement in international humanitarianism. The Philadelphia Phillies will be thanked for their support of Red Cross blood drives in the Philadelphia area. Raytheon will be honored for its service to the U.S. military and America’s Second Harvest for its partnership with the Red Cross in disaster preparedness and response. Telemundo will be recognized for its contribution in community service and preparedness through helping the Red Cross reach out to Spanish-speaking audiences. Ken Thompson, a long-time Red Cross volunteer, will be honored for his volunteer service, particularly for helping communities and families after the devastation of major disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11.

“The American Red Cross Heritage of Service Dinner is a celebration of our rich history of 127 years of service to America and an opportunity for the Red Cross to say thank you to our many partners and friends who ensure that we are able to carry out our noble mission year in and year out,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Red Cross. “Together, the outstanding dedication and commitment of our volunteers, corporations, foundations, donors and partners allow the Red Cross to put America’s compassion into action to change the lives of millions of people across the nation and around the world.”