Hudson's Bay Company Foundation Donates $50,000 to Canadian Red Cross in Support of the West Africa Ebola Fund

TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) announced today a donation match of up to $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of their efforts to combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus and provide emergency response operations in the affected countries. The donation will benefit the West Africa Ebola Fund with funds raised through the HBC Foundation.

The donation kicks off a matching donation campaign launched by the HBC Foundation and the Canadian Red Cross, to help encourage urgently needed donations from the Canadian public. HBC will match donations made at www.redcross.ca/hbcmatch for a total up to $50,000. The campaign will run from Tuesday, October 14th to Friday Oct 31st, 2014. Customers may also lend their support by donating their HBC Rewards Points online through www.hbcrewards.com by clicking on the "Donate to Charity/Community" link. HBC will convert all points collected to cash and make an additional donation from the funds collected.

Red Cross volunteers and staff are dedicated to providing access to medical treatment and care for those affected by the fast-spreading Ebola virus, and have opened a treatment centre and mobilized aid workers specializing in health and disaster relief to the region. This donation will help the Canadian Red Cross to provide critical support to people and families in desperate need of life-saving assistance, as well as replenishing protective equipment and securing specially trained personnel.

"The Canadian Red Cross is extremely grateful for this generous offer from HBC," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "More help is urgently needed in West Africa. I encourage Canadians to take this opportunity to have their donation doubled to support life-saving services to communities affected by the ongoing Ebola epidemic."

"Our thoughts are with the people of West Africa and all those affected by the tragedy of the Ebola outbreak as they battle to control and contain the virus," said Richard Baker, Governor and CEO, Hudson's Bay Company. "HBC is committed to supporting the Canadian Red Cross in its ongoing efforts to provide relief and assistance to people in need, especially during humanitarian crises such as this one."

Donations can be made directly to the Red Cross by visiting them online at www.redcross.ca/hbcmatch, calling 1-800-418-1111, or in person at any Canadian Red Cross location.

About Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670, is North America's longest continually operated company. Today, HBC offers customers a range of retailing categories and shopping experiences primarily in the United States and Canada. Our leading banners - Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH - offer a compelling assortment of apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty and home merchandise. Hudson's Bay is Canada's most prominent department store with 90 full-line locations, one outlet store and thebay.com. Lord & Taylor operates 49 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., four Lord & Taylor outlet locations and lordandtaylor.com. Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent luxury specialty retailers, comprises 40 U.S. stores, five international licensed stores and saks.com. OFF 5TH offers value-oriented merchandise through 80 U.S. stores and saksoff5th.com. Home Outfitters is Canada's largest kitchen, bed and bath specialty superstore with 69 locations. Hudson's Bay Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBC".

SOURCE: Hudson's Bay

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Tiffany Bourré
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Hudson's Bay Company
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