Once again, thanks to our loyal customers, we’re blessed to be able to continue our longstanding tradition of honoring our company’s milestones through charitable giving. This summer, we were thrilled to earn our 3.5 millionth customer. To mark this achievement, we’re proud to be making a $350,000 donation to the American Red Cross.
By now, we hope you’re familiar with the very important work the Red Cross does. The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.
Our support of the Red Cross is ongoing. It’s a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. We have regularly provided financial assistance in support of its relief efforts during natural disasters, and host blood donation drives at our contact centers in Oregon and Arizona multiple times each year.
This latest donation represents a proactive step to help assure that valuable resources are available to the Red Cross if and when they are called upon during tornados, hurricanes, or other disasters in the year ahead. We are honored to provide it on behalf of our 3.5 million customers and 2,400 employees.
We’ve always believed in charitable giving as a rewarding way to demonstrate our appreciation for the employees and customers who’ve contributed to our success, and to help make our communities stronger. In 2018, to celebrate our 3 millionth customer, we gifted $3 million, split between our employees and three charities they selected, including Meals on Wheels, Providence Cancer Institute and Shriners Hospital for Children. In 2017, in recognition of 2.5 million customers, we donated 2.5 million meals to Feeding America. In 2015, we donated $2 million dollars to the Knight Cancer Challenge in recognition of our 2 millionth customer.
With your continued support, it will be our privilege and honor to keep supporting these worthy causes. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do so.