Bank of America Donates $1 Million In Aid To Haiti

Posted: 9:28 pm EST January 13, 2010
Updated: 9:40 pm EST January 13, 2010

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bank of America Corp. will give $1 million to help victims of the earthquake that hit Haiti Tuesday. American Airlines is flying relief supplies to the country after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake, and other companies are donating funds and their products to the effort, the organizations said Wednesday.

Bank of America said it also will match any donations its employees make and will not limit its total gift.

Half of Bank of America's $1 million commitment covers a grant to the American Red Cross for the Haitian Relief and Development Fund. The other $500,000 will cover long-term recovery, including restoring basic medical services and rebuilding homes and schools.

Bank of America is based in Charlotte, N.C.

AMR Corp. said starting Thursday it would award 250 bonus miles to its customers who donate $50 or more and 500 bonus miles to those who donate $100 or more to the American Red Cross through Feb. 28. Three American Eagle aircraft arrived in devastated Port-au-Prince on Wednesday with 30,000 pounds of water, food and other nonperishable goods. Three relief missions also are planned Thursday and three more Friday.

The company is also allowing passengers who bought tickets to or from Port-au-Prince for the rest of January to reschedule their flights to others that depart through Feb. 14, without penalty.

The Walmart Foundation said Wednesday plans to give $500,000 in cash plus food kits worth $100,000, both through the American Red Cross. The foundation also launched a Web site at walmartstores.com/haiti, where customers and employees can donate to nonprofits that are helping Haitian victims of the natural disaster.

The philanthropic organization said that in September 2008 it donated more than $100,000 to relief efforts for Haitians who were hurt that summer by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which killed hundreds of people. Other pledges include $100,000 from the Publix Super Markets Charities, $25,000 from the Kraft Foods Foundation and 100,000 pairs of shoes from Soles4Souls Inc., a charity in Nashville, Tenn.

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