Anheuser-Busch Employees Spread Holiday Cheer to Area Families

Brewer Makes Donations Totaling $225,000 to Three Local Charities

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 16, 2009) – Anheuser-Busch employees are once again getting into the spirit this holiday season by donating a total of $225,000 to three charities; the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 100 Neediest Cases and Toys for Tots.  Each organization will receive $75,000 to help support programs they provide to assist children and families across our community during the holiday season.

“One of the great attributes of our employees is their willingness to give back to the community with not only their financial support, but by investing their time and talents in numerous organizations and programs that help thousands throughout the community,” said Jim Brickey, vice president of People for Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  “These donations are just another example of how our company and our employees help the less fortunate and provide support to those in need.”

“This contribution will help make thousands of area children’s holiday extra special,” said Lt. Col. T. Shane Tomko of the U.S. Marines Corps’ Toys for Tots program.  “Because of Anheuser-Busch’s employees and the generosity of so many throughout the community, we are expecting a banner year for donations and the support we can provide the children of the St. Louis area.”

The funds were raised through the internal sale of obsolete office equipment to Anheuser-Busch employees. 

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the U.S. and its territories.  With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 150,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.  For more information, visit www.mo.wish.org.

About 100 Neediest Cases
The 100 Neediest Cases tradition began in 1900 when the Christmas festival provided dinner and toys for the poor.  The United Way of Greater St. Louis and the St. Louis Post Dispatch, with the help of social service agencies, high school students, and thousands of generous readers, proudly carry on the tradition.  For more information, visit www.100neediestcases.org.

About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 62 year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season.  The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime.  It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community.  Last year the Marine Corps fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.6 million less fortunate children.  Since 1947 over 188 million children have been assisted.  For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

About Anheuser-Busch
For more than 100 years, Anheuser-Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have reached out to groups in need, contributing to community organizations across the country and touching countless individual lives.  During the past decade alone, the company and its foundation have donated more than $370 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, the environment, economic development, disaster preparedness/relief and support of those who serve our country.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.