Spartanburg, SC - AFL Telecommunications is pleased to announce that the American Red Cross is the recipient of two Fujikura Foundation grants.

In an effort to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, AFL Telecommunications matched employee donations made to the American Red Cross and designated for Hurricane Katrina, dollar for dollar, during the month of September. During this time frame, AFL employees worldwide raised $18,246. On October 31, Masatoshi Kuroda, Chairman of AFL Telecommunications, and Jody Gallagher, President of AFL Telecommunications, presented the check to Barry White, Chapter Manager of the Piedmont American Red Cross, and Harriette Reid, Public Support Chair of the Piedmont Chapter. "It's comforting to know that the American Red Cross will be there when we need them. And we're here to help when they need our support," said Gallagher. We're grateful to them for everything they do, not only in our community, but also worldwide."

Left to right: Barry White, Harriette Reid, Masatoshi Kuroda, & Jody Gallagher

The disaster relief grant follows a grant given to the Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross in September for $5,700, which supports its ongoing programs. In addition to this grant, items for comfort kits were presented and were used to aid victims who relocated to Spartanburg from the Gulf Coast states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and for other disasters that occur locally. The collection of items, ranging from shampoo, conditioner and soap to washcloths, stuffed animals and crayons, were part of United Way's Week of Caring which supported various agencies in Spartanburg County.

"The Piedmont Chapter is grateful for AFL's continued support of the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross," said White. "Through the generosity of the employees and the Fujikura Foundation, they are helping put peoples' lives back together and assisting them on the road to recovery. The Red Cross could not exist without caring people such as them. Our thanks go out to them."

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, which provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization.