More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.

Every eight minutes in the U.S., the Red Cross connects with a family who has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster – the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions.

American Red Cross asks people to be a hero for families by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or stopping by any Wawa store to donate spare change through The Wawa Foundation’s in-store coin collection campaign running from Monday, February 25, through Sunday, April 14.

“The Wawa Foundation is committed to building strong communities and one of our main areas of focus is to support the heroes who serve our communities every day. We’re pleased to partner with the Red Cross to help them provide life-saving services and assistance to our friends and neighbors in their greatest times of need,” said Jay Culotta, Board President, The Wawa Foundation.

“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to recognize our volunteers and community partners who help provide hope and urgent relief to families in need every day,” said Red Cross Regional CEO, Guy Triano. “We thank Wawa for their support year after year that helps us provide care and comfort to families devastated by crises like hurricanes and home fires.”

There are a number of ways you can help the Red Cross:

• Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters and install lifesaving smoke alarms to keep neighbors safe from home fires. In some areas, you can also provide emergency assistance for military members and veterans, or help reconnect families separated by international conflict.
• Give blood: Make an appointment to donate lifesaving blood or platelets. Presenting donors will receive a coupon for a FREE 16 oz. Wawa hot beverage throughout the month of March. Coupons are available while supplies last and cannot to redeemed for cash. The offer applies to the following regions: Delaware|–|Kent and New Castle; New Jersey – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer and Salem; and Pennsylvania|–|Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Northampton and Philadelphia.
• Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills.
• Make a financial donation: Throughout March, make a donation through The Wawa Foundation’s in-store coin collection campaign at your local Wawa.

About Wawa, Inc.
Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. A chain of more than 830 convenience retail stores (over 600 offering fuel), Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington D.C. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. In 2018, Wawa was recognized in Forbes as one of The Best Employers for New Grads and one of the The Best Employers for Women, and the Top Rated Workplace for Veterans by Indeed. Wawa was also designated as a 2018 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. In 2017 Wawa was the recipient of a Silver Plate Award in the category of Retail & Specialty Foodservice by the International Foodservice Manufacturers’ Association during their 63rd Annual Award Event. Visit www.wawa.com for more information.

About The Wawa Foundation
The Wawa Foundation is an extension of Wawa’s commitment to making the world a better place by fulfilling customers’ lives every day. The Wawa Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded by Wawa, Inc. to support the company’s charitable giving and philanthropic activities – and ultimately to help build happier, stronger communities. The Wawa Foundation focuses its support on organizations committed to health, hunger and everyday heroes through local, regional and national grants and in-kind donations. Since 2014, Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have donated more than $60 million to causes supporting health, hunger and the heroes who serve our communities every day. Visit: www.thewawafoundation.org.

Media Contact:
Lori Bruce
Wawa, Inc.