Anheuser-Busch Donates $153,651 to Support United Way of Central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 20, 2007) - The United Way of Central Ohio has increased its fundraising campaign thanks to Anheuser-Busch and the company's employees. Through the generosity of employees at the Anheuser-Busch Columbus brewery and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, the United Way received donations totaling more than $153,651.

United Way of Central Ohio benefits 80 member and partner agencies and funds more than 250 programs in the greater Columbus area, including eight adjoining counties.

"Anheuser-Busch has a tradition of giving back to the communities where our employees and their families live and work, always seeking to improve the quality of life. It is important for us to be a good neighbor, and our employees play a key role in helping us accomplish this through their support," said Kevin Lee, Anheuser-Busch Columbus brewery plant manager. "United Way of Central Ohio performs a valuable service that benefits a wide variety of health, education and human services concerns in our communities."

Lee and Craig Thompson, coordinator of the United Way campaign for brewery employees,recently presented a check to Natalie Coles,relationship manager for the United Way of Central Ohio.

The donation will be used to support the United Way's 250 programs that range from helping children get ready for kindergarten to helping older students and the chronically ill remain independent.

For more than 80 years, the United Way of Central Ohio has served the community by ensuring resources are channeled to the most pressing and critical concerns facing the Columbus area. The United Way is actively involved in many community collaborations to address community issues.

The Anheuser-Busch Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Anheuser-Busch Companies, provides support to local organizations in communities where the company operates breweries and other major facilities.

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., the parent company of the Columbus brewery, and its charitable foundation have contributed nearly $1.5 million to the Columbus community over the last five years.