$100,000 Grant to aid disaster relief for Southern Tornado victims

New grant brings Nationwide’s total support for American Red Cross Disaster Relief to $1.5 million in 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2011

Contacts:
Mike Switzer (614) 249-4092
switzem1@nationwide.com

Tuscaloosa, AL — To assist victims of the recent band of tornadoes that swept through Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation announced today an additional $100,000 donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

“As these communities begin the painful recovery process, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Insurance Foundation. “It will be a long time before these communities return to normalcy, but we know that the American Red Cross will put our funds to good use providing immediate assistance to people whose lives were devastated by this terrible storm.”

Meanwhile, Nationwide claims associates have been working through the weekend to help policyholders impacted by the storms. Customers who need to file a claim should contact their local agent or call the Nationwide claims hotline at 1-800-421-3535.

Last week, Nationwide announced a $350,000 grant to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid victims of storms that swept through North Carolina, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Virginia. In early 2011, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation Trustees approved a grant for $1,050,000 to the American Red Cross, with $700,000 going to the National Disaster Relief Fund and $350,000 going to 18 chapters across the country. The grant announced today brings the company’s total support for Red Cross disaster relief to $1.5 million in 2011.

“We’re hopeful that other corporate citizens with the means will choose to support the American Red Cross in helping people in our region rebuild their lives,” said Jester.

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will help meet immediate needs of victims of the recent tornadoes, providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean up kits and other assistance for families and communities as they begin to rebuild their lives. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 mobile donation.

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.

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.

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