Technology Meets Philanthropy: Electronic Donations at Checkout by Walgreens Customers for Fundraising Programs Bring more than $17 Million to Charities

Significant donations during two-month period underscore customer support for disease prevention, education and improved access to health and wellness programs in the community

 

DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 12, 2012 - In a show of support for disease prevention, education and improved access to health and wellness programs in communities across the country, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) customers have raised more than $17 million in just two months thanks to the ability to make electronic donations at checkout for charities focused on cancer, diabetes and disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. National charities benefiting from these fundraising programs include Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

In October, Walgreens and Duane Reade locations began offering electronic donations at checkout for the first time as a convenient option allowing customers to participate in a more private way. Customers made contributions at any of the more than 8,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations across the country by adding the donation in increments of $1, $2, $5 or $10 to their purchase amount. In the past, team members asked customers if they wanted to donate.

“In this season of giving, we want to thank and recognize our customers for their continued generosity and support for organizations focused on helping those facing chronic health conditions or natural disasters,” said Mark Wagner, Walgreens president of operations and community management. “Walgreens is a trusted resource for health and daily living needs, and we are always looking for ways to make health care and healthy living easier and more accessible. Through technology and philanthropy, we are working together with our customers to help make a meaningful difference.”

Walgreens has a long history of giving back to the communities it serves to help people get, stay and live well. Last year, the drugstore chain announced its Way to Well Commitment™, a four-year, $100 million health initiative aimed at disease prevention and improving everyday health through education and early detection of today’s leading diseases. As part of this effort, Walgreens is working with the nation’s top health organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, ADA and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to improve the lives of those impacted by these diseases.

For more information about the Way to Well Commitment™, visit walgreens.com/waytowell.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,057 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

 

Contact(s)

Walgreen Co. Corporate Communications
Vivika Panagiotakakos, (847) 315-2923
http://news.walgreens.com
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