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Mail Boxes Etc.'s We Deliver Dreams Foundation Sets Up Italy Relief Fund to Help Rebuild San Guiliano di Puglia's Elementary School
For Immediate Release
SAN DIEGO (November 18, 2002) - The MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation’s International Relief Fund is contributing $5,000 to assist the Italian town of San Giuliano di Puglia in the aftermath of the October 31 earthquake that leveled the elementary school, claiming the lives of 26 children and three adults.
In addition to donating $5,000, the Foundation has established a separate Italy Relief Fund and will be accepting public donations through December 31, 2002. All funds are dedicated exclusively for the rebuilding of San Giuliano di Puglia's elementary school. To donate to the Italy Relief Fund, contributors can send tax-deductible checks and/or money orders to the MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation, 6060 Cornerstone Ct. West, San Diego, CA 92121. "Italy Relief Fund" should be noted on the memo section of the check/money order.
Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) established the MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation in 1998. Its mission is to aid at-risk children who are victims of abuse, neglect, poverty, violence or illness. The Foundation's International Relief Fund has assisted recovery efforts in Turkey after an earthquake in 1999 and in Venezuela after devastating mudslides hit the country in 2000.
"Our foundation is dedicated to helping children around the world," said Anne Ricci, director of the MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation. "We hope that these donations to help rebuild the school will be a step toward turning tragedy to hope for the families and children affected by this devastating event."
MBE's largest international presence is in Italy, where 396 centers are currently operating. Paolo Fiorelli, master licensee for Italy, Spain and Germany, called the disaster a sad and terrible event for everyone involved.
"I'm thankful that the MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation is helping the victims of the San Guiliano di Puglia earthquake," said Fiorelli. "When a tragedy of this magnitude hits your country, it is very heartwarming to know that your company is providing assistance."
Established in 1980, Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), a UPS company, is the world's largest franchisor of retail postal and business services. There are more than 4,000 MBE locations worldwide, with master license agreements covering nearly 80 countries. Entrepreneur magazine's annual “Franchise 500” has rated MBE #1 in the postal and business services category for 12 consecutive years. In the United States, MBE locations are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, MBE locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at http://www.mbe.com.
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