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Garth Brooks' Concerts Set the Stage for Southern California Wildfire Rebuilding and Recovery Efforts

CHICAGO, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The McCormick Foundation's Board of Directors approved more than $6 million in grants for the 2008 southern California Fire Intervention Relief Effort (FIRE) campaign, based upon the recommendations of an advisory board consisting of representatives from AEG, legendary performer Garth Brooks, American Express and professional firefighters from the affected areas. The money will be granted to agencies providing aid to victims and their families, and first responders of theLos Angeles andSan Diego wildfires. The grants will also provide financial assistance toCalifornia firefighting departments and organizations in need of additional or replacement firefighting equipment. A complete record of grants awarded is provided below.

In January 2008, AEG, Garth Brooks, Los Angeles Times and Ticketmaster reached out to the McCormick Foundation to facilitate the raising and distribution of funds to benefit southernCalifornia wildfire victims, as well as for the future of firefighting efforts in the state ofCalifornia. Garth Brooks played five record-setting, sold-out concerts in two days at the Los Angeles STAPLES Center, with net proceeds donated directly to the 2008 FIRE Campaign.

The McCormick Foundation 2008 FIRE campaign raised $4.9 million, which includes Garth Brooks' significant gift, American Express' $1 million donation and additional contributions from Ticketmaster and hundreds of generous donors. With matching dollars provided by the Foundation, approximately $6 million will be distributed to nonprofit agencies providing direct services (i.e., shelter, housing and healthcare needs) to the most vulnerable survivors and the skills and resources needed to rebuild. Grants will also be used to replace and upgrade fire equipment for fire stations.

"All of the credit for the millions of dollars raised for our heroic firefighters goes to Garth Brooks and his unselfish fans who donated to this incredible cause," said Timothy J. Leiweke, President and CEO, AEG. "We also owe a great deal of gratitude to our partners at American Express, The Los Angeles Times and Ticketmaster for stepping up when their assistance was truly needed and to David Grange and the McCormick Foundation whose efforts were invaluable in collecting and distributing the millions of dollars of donations to the appropriate recipients."

"Because of the generosity of citizens across the country and the active engagement of our partners in the community, the Foundation is helping to solve critical challenges facing the victims of theCalifornia fires," said David L. Grange, President and CEO, McCormick Foundation. "We believe that these grants will enable agencies to provide recovery services to at-risk families and better prepare for future crises."

After a detailed review of the areas affected by the fires, the McCormick Foundation, AEG, Garth Brooks and American Express agreed to designate 70 percent of funds toSan Diego County, and 30 percent to communities within San Bernardino,Riverside andLos Angeles counties. Funding will be directed exclusively towards low-income communities affected by the 2007 wildfires.

"Joining Garth Brooks, AEG, McCormick Foundation and American Express in bringing relief to ourSouthern California friends, neighbors and firefighting organizations has been an honor," said Jack D. Klunder, President, Los Angeles Times Newspaper. "TheSan Diego andLos Angeles communities truly came together to provide supportive donations which, along with our partners' generous efforts, will now aid in the massive recovery underway."

"We are delighted to have partnered with Garth Brooks to raise these much needed funds to help relief efforts and local fire departments in the affected California communities," said Colin D. Temple, Vice President and GM Client Management Western Region, American Express.

The McCormick Foundation has conducted disaster relief campaigns for 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and, most recently, for the Midwest flooding. The McCormick Foundation's prior fire relief campaign in October 2007 granted more than $1.2 million to agencies in southernCalifornia that provided front-line emergency services to wildfire victims.

Below is the complete listing of the 2008 FIRE campaign grants approved by the McCormick Foundation's Board of Directors:



    2008 FIRE Campaign Grants - Los Angeles Area

      1.  Riverside County Fire Department                            $500,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      2.  Catholic Charities - San Bernardino / Riverside             $450,000
          For temporary shelter and financial assistance for
          low-income fire victims
      3.  Los Angeles County Fire Department                          $200,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      4.  San Bernardino County Fire Department                       $200,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      5.  Operation Provider                                          $110,000
          For three new case managers to conduct assessments,
          distribute funds and supplies, and make referrals for
          community-based services as needed
      6.  Habitat for Humanity International - San Fernando /
          Santa Clarita Valleys                                       $100,000
          For rebuilding projects and the Brush with Kindness program
      7.  Rim Family Services, Inc.                                   $100,000
          For outreach, food and medical services to displaced fire
          victims
      8.  Rebuilding Mountain Hearts and Lives                         $80,000
          For educational workshops, materials and financial
          assistance for those rebuilding their homes
      9.  Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, U.S.A.                   $60,000
          For financial assistance, medical care and prescription
          services for the uninsured

    Los Angeles Area Total                                          $1,800,000



    2008 FIRE Campaign Grants - San Diego Area

      10. County of San Diego (DPLU Fire Services)                  $1,072,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment to nine rural fire
          agencies and to upgrade the San Diego Dispatch Center
      11. Salvation Army, San Diego County                            $625,000
          For direct services and rebuilding efforts for fire victims
      12. Jewish Family Service of San Diego                          $565,000
          For direct services and rebuilding efforts for fire victims
      13. La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians                            $380,000
          For Fire Department Enhancement Project
      14. Ramona Fire Department                                      $325,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      15. Community Housing Works                                     $250,000
          For the Fire Relief Assistance program providing rent,
          food and clothing assistance for farm workers
      16. Save the Children Federation, Inc. (Westport, Conn.)        $250,000
          For Resilient and Ready and Safe Spaces programs serving
          children affected by the 2007 fires
      17. San Diego Regional Fire & Emergency Services Foundation     $223,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment to six volunteer fire
          agencies
      18. Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest                   $134,422
          For case management salaries and rent, utility and general
          household assistance for fire survivors
      19. North County Interfaith Council, Inc.                       $120,000
          For direct services and rebuilding efforts for fire victims
      20. Burn Institute                                              $100,000
          For counseling, medical treatment, rehabilitation services and
          transportation for burn victims and their families
      21. Wildland Firefighter Foundation (Boise, Idaho)               $34,000
          For fire relief services to firefighters and their families
      22. Deer Springs Fire District                                   $30,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      23. Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, Inc.                           $25,000
          For food, clothing, medical supplies and other basic
          necessities for low-income fire victims
      24. Alpine Fire Protection District                              $21,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      25. City of El Cajon Fire Department                             $10,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      26. City of Escondido Fire Department                            $10,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      27. City of La Mesa Fire Department                              $10,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      28. City of Lemon Grove Fire Department                          $10,000
          For new / replacement fire equipment
      29. North County Fire Protection District                         $9,000
          For direct services and rebuilding efforts for fire victims

    San Diego Area Total                                            $4,203,422

    2008 FIRE CAMPAIGN GRAND TOTAL                                  $6,003,422

About the McCormick Foundation

The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free, democratic society by investing in children, communities and country. Through its five grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, and three world-class museums, the Foundation helps build a more active and engaged citizenry. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The Foundation is one of the nation's largest charities, with $1.2 billion in assets.

The McCormick Foundation's communities program is a unique grantmaking effort that stimulates local philanthropy and improves community life across the country.

Each year thousands of people make donations to the Foundation through various fundraising activities, including direct mail, online giving and special campaigns assisted by the Foundation's 32 newspaper, broadcast and sports team partners in communities nationwide.

For more information, please visit http://www.McCormickFoundation.org.

About the Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times (http://latimes.com) is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 2.2 million and 3.2 million on Sunday, and a combined print and interactive weekly audience of 4.8 million. The Los Angeles Times and its media businesses and affiliates -- including The Envelope (http://theenvelope.com), Metromix (http://losangeles.metromix.com), Times Community Newspapers, Hoy (http://hoyinternet.com), and California Community News -- reach approximately 5.5 million or 42% of all adults in theSouthern California marketplace. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times, has been coveringSouthern California for over 126 years and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/mediacenter.

About American Express

American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com.

SOURCE The McCormick Foundation

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