The American Red Cross-Utah Region

Southwest Airlines Delivers “Comfort” to Americans Displaced by Disasters
Partnership with American Red Cross will Help 10,000 People Nationwide

Salt Lake City, Utah (Monday, October 12, 2009) -- Southwest Airlines Employees in Salt Lake City have partnered with the American Red Cross to show their “LUV” to 10,000 people displaced by disasters across the nation. In an unprecedented show of support, the Dallas-based air carrier, currently headquartered at Love Field, encouraged Employees to ”Share the Spirit” by collecting, assembling and distributing “Comfort Kits” to Red Cross chapters in all 67 cities the airline serves. Here in Utah, Southwest Airlines Employees will drop off donated comfort kits to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter office of the American Red Cross at 555 East 300 South Suite 200 at 10:00 am on Monday, October 12th.
Comfort kits are an essential part of a Red Cross disaster response, particularly those affected by a home fire, the most common type of disaster the Red Cross responds to on a daily basis. In Utah, the Red Cross responded to 114 disasters last year, most of them home fires but also wildfires, floods, landslides and evacuations. Utah is also at risk for a major earthquake.
“The Red Cross is grateful to the employees at Southwest Airlines for donating essential items that will help individuals affected by disasters,” said Red Cross Utah Region CEO Maxine Margaritis, “Often when we arrive on the scene of a disaster, we’re met by people who have nothing left except what they wore to bed. Being able to provide for their most basic and immediate needs, will truly bring comfort to the 10,000 people who receive these kits.”
The kits contain personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, combs, razors and more. The kits are often made available to people at Red Cross shelters.
“Southwest Airlines Employees work hard every day to do the right thing, share their spirit, and give generously of their time and their hearts,” said Linda Rutherford, Vice President of Communication and Strategic Outreach for Southwest Airlines. “We value our partnership with the Red Cross, and we know the vital role the Red Cross plays in helping people recover from disasters. We are honored to support their efforts.”
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies or to make a donation, please visit www.utahredcross.org.

About the American Red Cross, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org.

About Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is one of the most honored airlines in the world, consistently appearing on the FORTUNE Magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” list. After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 68 cities in 34 states, and announced service to Milwaukee beginning Nov. 1, 2009. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide who work hard each and every day to provide excellent Customer service and make a difference in the community.. To learn more about how Southwest does the right thing visit www.southwest.com/cares.