PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway here has received the 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for its efforts to raise money through the sale of Easter Seals over the past 25 years.
Since 1986 the chain has raised $112 million nationwide to help Easter Seals provide services for people with disabilities, the association said. It also noted that Safeway had contributed "hundreds of millions" more to other causes, including cancer research, education and food banks.
The Freeman award recognizes companies that demonstrate outstanding commitment to important causes through financial support and encouragement, as well as the ability to motivate others to take on leadership roles in their communities.
Safeway is scheduled to launch its next Easter Seals campaign next Thursday.
Laree Renda, executive vice president of Safeway and chair of the Safeway Foundation, said the company has supported Easter Seals over the years "because the money we raise stays in local communities. And Easter Seals is the best in its class at doing things efficiently so that the dollars raised go directly to help clients served by the organization."
