CNIB receives $20,000 from President's Choice® Children's Charity

Donation supports the Charity's vision of improving the lives of children across Canada

BRAMPTON, ON, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - (TSX: L) - President's Choice^® Children's Charity, the corporate Charity of Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw), announces a $20,000 donation to CNIB's Early Intervention Services Program. These funds will be used to further the Program's one-on-one instruction between CNIB early intervention specialists, the child and his/her family. More than 150 children will benefit from this instruction and it will ensure that they continue their habilitation and strive to meet their developmental goals.

The CNIB's Early Intervention Services Program works with parents/caregivers to ensure children aged newborn to six years-old, who are blind or partially sighted, are able to gain the critical development associated with the formative years despite their vision loss.

"President's Choice^® Children's Charity has been delighted to assist children and families across Canada through individual grants since 2004," said Peggy Hornell, senior director, President's Choice^® Children's Charity. "With the current donation to the CNIB's Early Intervention Services Program one-on-one instruction, we hope to reach many more Canadian children, with the aim of providing these young people with a renewed sense of dignity and independence in their daily lives."

"CNIB shares a common goal with President's Choice^® Children's Charity in working to remove obstacles that make everyday living difficult for children with physical and developmental challenges," said Jennifer Johnson, national director, foundations, CNIB. "We greatly appreciate the Charity's generous support as an important step in meeting this goal."

President's Choice^® Children's Charity is dedicated to helping children who are physically or developmentally challenged. Families can receive individual grants of up to $20,000 to assist with the costs of equipment, home accessibility, respite care, developmental and physical therapy and accessible vehicles. Families who are interested in receiving direct financial assistance can learn more at www.pc.ca/charity. In 2011, the Charity granted more than $10 million to more than 1,800 families with children with disabilities across Canada. President's Choice^® Children's Charity is also the national premier sponsor of Breakfast for Learning, another important part of the Charity's vision of improving the lives of children across Canada.

Loblaw is committed to being active in communities at the local, regional and national levels and the Company views this as an integral component to the success of its business. A commitment to Make a Positive Difference in Our Communities is one of five Loblaw corporate social responsibility principles that shape Loblaw's approach to business. The other social responsibility principles include Respect the Environment, Source with Integrity, Reflect our Nation's Diversity and Be a Great Place to Work.

About President's Choice^® Children's Charity
Helping Kids Live Life Well™ - President's Choice^® Children's Charity is committed to helping children across Canada, with a focus on children with disabilities and childhood nutrition. The Charity supports children with disabilities directly through financial grants and as the National Premier Sponsor of Breakfast for Learning shares a vision dedicated to improving the lives of children. The cost of administration and operations of the Charity is funded by Loblaw Companies Limited, ensuring that 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to helping kids and their families. The Charity offers funding across Canada and dollars are granted in the region in which they are raised.  Since 1989, the Charity has awarded more than $58.6 million, reaching more than 8,400 families. For more information on the President's Choice^® Children's Charity or to donate online, visit www.pc.ca/charity.

About CNIB
CNIB is a registered charity, dedicated to passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, sills and opportunities to fully participate in life. To do that, specialists work with people of all ages in their own homes, communities or local CNIB offices - providing the personalized rehabilitation support they need to see beyond vision loss, build their independence and lead the lives they want. In addition, CNIB works with Canadians who are blind or partially sighted to advocate for a barrier-free society and we strive to eliminate avoidable sight loss with world-class research and by promoting the importance of vision health through public education.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 136,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice^®, no name^® and Joe Fresh^® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial^® services and offers the PC^® points loyalty program.

On behalf of the President's Choice^® Children's Charity, for more information please contact:
Loblaw Public Relations Department
Phone: [phone] | Email: [email protected]