Delta Pledges $1 Million in Cash, In-Kind Support for Japan Disaster Relief

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is pledging $1 million in cash and in-kind support to disaster relief efforts in Japan following last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The airline's efforts are centered on two relief programs:

American Red Cross and Japanese Red Cross Society – The Delta Air Lines Foundation, Delta's company-managed giving system, is providing an immediate $250,000 cash donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support rescue and recovery efforts. This donation will be supplemented by cash contributions from Delta customers and employees who are encouraged to donate via a dedicated Delta-Red Cross website. Donations made at this site will be routed directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society's efforts to assist persons in affected areas. These donations are in addition to Delta's long-standing agreement with the American Red Cross to provide complimentary cargo and passenger capacity, if needed, to help move relief supplies and workers to and from disaster areas around the world.

SkyWish Asia – Delta has committed to match up to 5 million miles against customers' donations to World Vision Japan through its SkyWish Asia program. Delta customers are encouraged to visit the SkyWish Asia website where they can donate miles to World Vision Japan to help transport relief workers and supplies to Japan. World Vision has worked in Japan for more than two decades. In the wake of a disaster, World Vision is often one of the first organizations to begin relief work by distributing pre-positioned supplies.

In addition to the immediate $250,000 cash donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the up to 5 million mile donation to World Vision Japan, Delta will supplement any employee and customer contributions with additional cash, if needed, to fulfill its $1 million pledge.

Delta's Japan-based employees also are receiving any needed assistance through a nonprofit organization led and funded by Delta people known as the Delta Employee & Retiree Care Fund. Delta employees donate directly to this fund via payroll deduction or via their internal employee website. Donations will be used to assist any Delta employee in Japan seeking assistance in the wake of last week's events.

"Japan is a core part of our global network and we are committed to finding ways to help those in need following last week's devastating earthquake," said Vinay Dube, senior vice president – Asia-Pacific. "Delta's 1,200 employees in Japan, backed by the support of 80,000 worldwide, are rallying together to do what we can to make a difference and we encourage our customers to join us by donating money or miles to our dedicated charities."

Due to stringent international security and customs requirements, Delta can only accept relief cargo shipments through pre-approved relief organizations including the American Red Cross. At this time, the Red Cross has requested monetary donations. Customers wishing to contribute in other ways should clear these requests through the Red Cross.

Delta is the largest U.S.-based airline in Japan with more than 40 peak-day departures from four airports – Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya and Osaka. The company employs more than 1,200 people in Japan and operates an international flight hub at Tokyo's Narita International Airport.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 356 destinations in 65 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

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Delta Donates $2 Million to Grady Health Foundation

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it will support the Grady Health Foundation with more than $2 million in a five-year commitment to support Atlanta's only metro-area hospital with a Level 1 Trauma facility.

"Supporting the communities in which we live and work – particularly our home town– is a core part of who we are at Delta," said Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson. "We're honored to do our part for Grady, which is an Atlanta institution that shares Delta's focus on customer service and caring for our community."

Delta's donation will be used for capital improvements such as ICU patient monitoring.

"The Grady Health Foundation is honored to be receiving such a generous gift from our hometown airline," Grady Health Foundation president Lisa Borders said. "Delta's donation to Grady is 'on-time,' and demonstrates its commitment to Atlanta and surrounding communities."

In celebration of the donation, Delta also is hosting a fundraising event Tuesday evening at the Delta Heritage Museum. The event, called Travel in Pink, will help fund breast cancer research. Money raised through Travel in Pink will help purchase vital equipment and replenish patient financial assistance funds for Grady's Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center, where Georgia residents receive comprehensive state-of-the-art care.

"Delta employees proudly raise money for breast cancer research every year through our partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this event is an extension of our commitment to find a cure for breast cancer," Anderson said. "We are all proud to call Georgia home, and we must work together to find a cure and make our home state healthier and disease free."

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Delta Volunteers Build 15 Houses with Habitat for Humanity in Chile

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Habitat for Humanity will join forces Nov. 1-3, to build 15 Habitat houses in El Monte, Chile, as part of Delta's Force for Global Good program to effect positive local and global change. The group leaves on Friday evening from Atlanta.

This will be the second time Delta volunteers and Habitat for Humanity will work together in Chile. Two years ago, 60 Delta employees traveled to Chile to build 15 houses in Casablanca. This year, more than 80 employees will build houses in El Monte, where many families are in need of housing following the Feb. 27 earthquake and its aftershocks. El Monte is 34 miles southwest of Santiago, Chile's capital.

"At Delta, we have a responsibility to help communities in need, especially those communities we serve. The need for safe, affordable housing is still great. It is our privilege to help Chilean families rebuild and improve their living conditions," said Ed Bastian, president—Delta Air Lines, and Habitat for Humanity International Board Member.

Delta volunteers will be joined by Mary Beth Witzel of Petaluma, California, a Delta SkyMiles® member who bid 338,000 miles in an online auction to win the opportunity to go on the trip. The miles will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Mary Beth Witzel invited her daughter, Lisa Witzel to accompany her on the trip and participate on the build.

"The generous partnership of national and international volunteers provides great support for Habitat Chile's affordable housing work," said Luis Santibanez, national director for Habitat for Humanity Chile. "We appreciate Delta's dedication and contribution to helping us improve the living conditions of families in El Monte."

Delta has supported Habitat for Humanity for more than 20 years, and strengthened the partnership in 2006 when the airline unveiled the first 767-300 featuring a unique Habitat for Humanity livery and a Delta "Force for Global Good" decal.

This is Delta's sixth international build with Habitat for Humanity. Delta employees from around the globe use vacation time and pay a portion of their expenses to volunteer on the international builds and help those in need of simple, decent and affordable housing, while also taking the opportunity to know more about the country and its culture. Delta has been involved in similar projects in South Africa, Ghana, India and Thailand. Within the United States, Delta's volunteers also have built houses in New York, Mississippi, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida and California.

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Delta Air Lines Commits $1 Million to Atlanta's National Center for Civil and Human Rights

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has pledged $1 million to support the National Center for Civil and Human Rights' current programming and planned facility in downtown Atlanta.

"The mission of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which is to tell the compelling story of the ongoing quest for civil and human rights worldwide, is a vital one for our community," said Richard Anderson, chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines. "Our support for the Center fits perfectly with Delta's focus on directing our sponsorship dollars in Atlanta and elsewhere toward charitable organizations."

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, scheduled to break ground in late 2011 and open in 2013, will feature permanent collections, timely exhibitions and interactive education opportunities to engage visitors in the historical and current struggle to secure and express human rights. The Center will be located in Atlanta's Pemberton Place adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, The New World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

The Center's Executive Director Doug Shipman said of Delta's commitment, "The National Center for Civil and Human Rights depends on individual and corporate citizens seeing the value of an institution dedicated to the ongoing education and conversation surrounding human rights. In keeping with the company's legacy of corporate social responsibility, Delta Air Lines has made a generous show of support for our work, and their gift brings us closer to groundbreaking."

Delta, which is headquartered in Atlanta and operates its largest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, focuses on improving the communities it serves by advancing global diversity, improving global wellness and the environment, and promoting arts and culture. This year, Delta was the recipient of the Corporation of the Year Award from the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries. With 75,000 employees worldwide and 25,000 employees based in Atlanta, Delta supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations through a combination of corporate philanthropy and employee giving.

With this gift, Delta Air Lines joins other prominent corporate supporters of the Center such as The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot Foundation, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., and The UPS Foundation.

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Delta Takes Support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Online and Overseas

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is taking its support for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) worldwide with its new Boeing 767-400 signature "pink plane" and online with a virtual lemonade stand on Facebook and Sky Miles donations to BCRF when customers download the Delta iPhone application or use the app to check in. Also throughout October, in its sixth year of support for BCRF, Delta will continue donating proceeds from onboard pink lemonade and jelly bean sales.

"The personal impact breast cancer has had on me and so many of our customers, employees and families has motivated Delta to always give more in our support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. "I've launched the first pink lemonade stand on Delta's Facebook page in honor of my mother who died from this horrible disease many years ago. The combined efforts of more than 75,000 Delta employees and millions more of our customers are making a difference in raising funds necessary to find a cure."

ONLINE, MOBILE SUPPORT AND DONATIONS

Beginning Oct. 7, Facebook members can create their own 'virtual' pink lemonade stand on Delta's Facebook page to share their stories and honor loved ones and donate to BCRF.

During October, Delta will donate 100 SkyMiles to BCRF for every Delta iPhone application download and each check-in using the mobile app, up to one million miles. In addition, all mobile phone users can text "DRINKPINK" to 27722 to donate $5.

NEW "PINK PLANE"

Delta's new international "pink plane," a Boeing 767-400 featuring BCRF's trademarked pink ribbon logo on the tail of the aircraft and adjacent to the boarding door, will make several special visits in the U.S. with Delta employee breast cancer survivors and executives, before flying internationally to help raise awareness for BCRF in Brazil, Italy and Spain. The pink plane will fly about 2.1 million miles this year, enough to circle the globe more than 84 times. Delta's international pink plane replaces the existing pink-and-white Boeing 757 that between 2005 and 2010 flew throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean to generate awareness for the cause.

The new pink plane was painted at Delta's Atlanta headquarters by Delta TechOps employees, including aircraft maintenance painter technician, Derek Snider.

"It definitely hit close to home for me because my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. As soon as I learned we'd be painting the pink plane, I called my mom because she fought hard to beat breast cancer. She's now on the road to recovery," said Snider. "The team here was really excited when we learned we'd be painting the 767 pink plane. There was a lot of pride put into that Delta paint scheme and that airplane, and it was humbling to do our part."

PINK for PURCHASE

"Delta really 'goes pink' in October, when thousands of our Delta flight attendants and customer service agents wear pink uniform pieces to support the cause. Our employees and our customers look forward to this effort every year," said Joanne Smith, senior vice president of In-Flight Service.

In addition to Delta's efforts online and the global visibility of the pink plane and pink uniform pieces, throughout October Delta sells pink lemonade and BCRF-branded pink Jelly Belly 'Sport Beans' onboard and in Delta Sky Clubs. All proceeds from the sale of the pink lemonade and $1 from the sale of each package of Jelly Belly Sports Beans benefit BCRF. In the first five years of the campaign, Delta raised $2.5 million for BCRF, including $1 million in 2009 alone. To date, Delta's donations have funded the work of nine research projects dedicated to the mission of achieving prevention and finding a cure for breast cancer.

"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is so grateful to the employees of Delta for their personal commitment to eliminate breast cancer," said Evelyn H. Lauder, Founder and Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. "Since 2005, Delta employees have gone above and beyond to raise both awareness and funds for the Foundation. This exemplary effort will truly make a difference in finding a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime."

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CARE Deploys Additional Emergency Team Members to Haiti

/PRNewswire/ -- CARE is deploying additional emergency team members to the devastated city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti, where the worst earthquake in 200 years destroyed houses and left thousands homeless. While the exact death toll from the 7.0-magnitude quake is not yet known, it is expected to be catastrophic.

CARE has launched an international appeal for funds for Haiti that will support immediate emergency operations. CARE plans to start food distribution using stocks of high-protein biscuits from its warehouses in Haiti. CARE is coordinating with other UN agencies and aid organizations to assess damage and on-the-ground needs.

Initial reports are that homes and buildings across the city have been destroyed, including essential services like hospitals. Electricity is out and phone lines are down across the affected area, restricting available information about the extent of the disaster. Aftershocks continue to rock the area and have caused landslides outside the city.

Sophie Perez, CARE's Country Director in Haiti, was in the CARE office in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. CARE's staff in the Port-au-Prince office escaped the office safely, but we are still trying to determine if all other staff in the area are safe.

"It was terrifying. It lasted for more than a minute," said Perez. "The whole building was shaking. People were screaming, crying. Last night, people were sleeping outside because they were afraid to go back inside their homes. Many of the houses are destroyed anyway. There were eight aftershocks last night. Everyone was sleeping in the streets. The whole city is affected. It is just morning here now, and I can hear helicopters working on the search and rescue. The immediate need is to rescue people trapped in the rubble, then to get people food and water. We're particularly worried about the children, because so many schools seem to have collapsed. Children were still in school in the afternoon when the earthquake hit, so there are many children trapped. It's horrifying."

Dr. Helene Gayle, CARE president and CEO, said, "This is an extremely serious situation. We currently have 133 personnel on the ground in Haiti and are deploying additional staff immediately to distribute food, hygiene kits and water, as well as to deliver emergency health services."

CARE has extensive experience responding to disasters of this magnitude. Many of CARE's staff in Haiti include emergency personnel who were part of the response to the devastating Hurricane Hanna in 2008. CARE began working in Haiti in 1954 to provide relief assistance after Hurricane Hazel. Today CARE's work in Haiti includes projects in HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, maternal and child health, education, food security, and water and sanitation.

Delta Air Lines, a long time CARE partner, is providing transportation support for Atlanta-based CARE staff into Haiti to support our Haiti Country Office team on the ground with emergency relief.

To Donate: Go to www.care.org or call 1 800 521 CARE.

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Delta people add Habitat for Humanity houses to Ghana neighborhood

Delta employees who gave up their vacation to spend nine days in Ghana building homes for Habitat for Humanity last month are ensuring the community continues to benefit from their work.

Anyone can contribute to the Delta Community Credit Union account that will provide funds for a well in the Mowire community, where 40 Delta volunteers built eight houses last month through Delta’s Force for Global Good. Donations are being accepted to account No. 0991585813.

Mowire is a community outside of Kumasi, the second-largest city in Ghana. While residents were thrilled for support from Delta’s Force for Global Good, they live in these new homes without running water or electricity. Delta provided $100,000 in support to build a total of 40 homes in that community.

The average per capita national income in 2005 was about $450. The house sponsorship cost is $2,500. Homeowners pay a $1,500 mortgage over 10 years, said Lisa Ellis, regional director, West and Central Africa-Habitat for Humanity International.

“It’s a privilege and opportunity to say thank you,” said Christian Adu Doku, one of the new homeowners during the dedication of the new homes June 21. “We’d like to see the continuation of Delta’s Force for Global Good. Thank you for leaving the comfort of your homes to come down and realize the long-awaited dreams of being a homeowner. The blessings of God will be shared on you all of the days of your life.”

The volunteers came from across Delta and Delta Technology and included one retiree. They divided into four teams for the Habitat build: Mark Krolick, managing director-Marketing, led the Embusua team; Barry Matthews, customer service agent, Atlanta, led the Baako team; Yohance Mitchell, project manager-Airport Customer Service, led the Blue team; and Carina Bertella, regional manager-Cargo Operations, led the Soronko team.

During the dedication ceremony, the volunteers had an opportunity to share how they felt about building these homes with the new homeowners. Many did so through tears.

“This is just so much bigger than I expected,” said Caroline Campbell, daughter of Mike Campbell, executive vice president-Human Resources. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you very much for the opportunity,” she said, unable to hold back the tears.

Barry Matthews, also got a little choked up. “I thought we were coming here to give,” he said. “But you gave us a truckload.”

Once the team returned to the United States, they immediately started talking about the experience with their friends, family and each other.

“I’ve found myself talking about all of the Delta people I met on this trip as much as Ghana itself,” said Chris Culver, Technical Operations engineer, Atlanta.

“I think we all bonded with the people in Mowire and I can think of no better way to reflect this bond,” said Kathy Ronay, Atlanta senior learning designer.

Kathy and Chris were responding to a note from Amy Moss, performance leader, Sacramento, who didn’t waste time sharing her thoughts with all of the participants, who bonded so closely that a guest newspaper reporter commented on how well the team jelled.

“It’s a sentiment of a customer-service industry. It’s fabulous how well you all got along and you can tell you genuinely like each other,” said Alexis Scott, publisher of the Atlanta Daily World.

“I have tried to find the right word to encompass this experience and I can only say WOW,” said Georgia Range, flight attendant, Atlanta. “What a fellowship we have developed among ourselves. The bond between our extended family in Mowire is beautiful.”

“It may sound like a cliché, but it really was an honor to build houses with each of you in Ghana,” Curt Mitchell, Atlanta customer service agent, said to the group. “I truly did have the experience of a lifetime!”