Home Hardware Stores Limited Supports Haitian Earthquake Relief

Encourages Canadians to contribute to aid organizations

ST. JACOBS, ON, Jan. 15 /CNW/ - Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer, is urging Canadians to join them in contributing to the immense earthquake relief efforts underway in Haiti .

On behalf of its local staff and Dealers across the country, Home Hardware will donate $25,000 to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) for the Haitian earthquake relief. Home Hardware's donation is in remembrance of the more than 50,000 people who tragically lost their lives in Haiti and in recognition of the humanitarian work of Yvonne Martin , an Elmira nurse on her fourth medical mission to the country and the first confirmed Canadian casualty of the earthquake.

"All of us at Home Hardware send our deepest sympathies to those in Haiti dealing with the aftermath of this disaster and to the Martin family and all other Canadians who have been affected," said Paul Straus , Vice President and CEO Home Hardware Stores Limited. "I strongly urge our fellow Canadians to step forward and help support this massive relief effort with a financial donation."

Canadians are encouraged to help those in Haiti by donating to MCC at mcc.org or any other humanitarian organization approved by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada .

Home Hardware Stores Limited has a history of supporting development in Haiti . For more than 5 years, the company has supported The Joy and Hope for Haiti , a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly children, through education, nutrition and healthcare.

About Home Hardware Stores Limited

Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer with more than 1,000 stores across Canada , under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. Dealers have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products and the company has annual retail sales of $4.85 billion . The cooperative was founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware dealers.

For further information: Rob Wallace, Public Relations Manager, Home Hardware Stores Limited at [phone] or [email protected]