President"s Choice(R) and Loblaw Companies Children"s Charity Hits $30-Million Milestone

Friday, Feb 29 2008, 02:00

In 2007 $8.8 million in grants awarded to more than 1,000 families across
Canada, bringing total grants to $30 million and number of families
assisted to 5,200

In 2007 President's Choice(R) Children's Charity (PCCC) and Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) increased grants to families across Canada by more than 40 per cent over 2006, awarding $8.8 million to more than 1,000 families. This brings the total number of grants since its inception to $30 million and the number of families assisted to 5,200, making
PCCC one of the largest corporate charities in Canada.

Of the total grants awarded in 2007, $4.4 million was granted in Ontario,
$2.4 million in the West, $1.4 million in Quebec and $556,000 in the Atlantic
provinces. Of the requests fulfilled, 311 were for equipment, 269 for vehicle
adaptations, 193 requests for developmental therapy and the remaining requests
attributed to camp tuition, home improvements, respite and physical therapy.
"Each year PCCC continues to grow, directly helping families achieve
major milestones at home through the Charity's assistance," says Galen G.
Weston, Executive Chairman of Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Chairman of PCCC.
"It's incredible to see the difference a van made accessible or a hearing
device makes to the lives of families with children with disabilities - it's
as simple as a son being able to visit friends or a daughter who can
communicate with her siblings."

Making a difference one child at a time

The goal of PCCC is to remove obstacles that make everyday life extremely
difficult for children with disabilities and their families. By providing
financial assistance in the form of mobility equipment, environmental
modifications and more, PCCC is able to supply much-needed resources and help
provide a renewed sense of independence, dignity and freedom for children with
special needs.

PCCC is a national charity which differs from other corporate charities
in that grants are awarded directly to local families rather than the funding
being dispersed through third-party charities or groups. Loblaw Companies Ltd.
fully covers the costs of administration and operations for PCCC, ensuring
that 100 per cent of every dollar donated is awarded in the province in which
it is donated.

Raising funds for PCCC takes place across all Loblaw banners and stores,
both through local community initiatives such as car washes, BBQs and in-store
coin boxes to national fundraising initiatives including the sale of The
President's Choice(R) Decadent Cookie during promotional periods and the Jaden
Bear sold during the festive season. Additionally, our customers raise money
for the purpose of the Charity, and in 2007 Loblaw colleagues directly
contributed $2 million with the company matching this with an additional
$1 million donation.

How you can help the President's Choice Children's Charity

Donations can be made online at: www.presidentschoice.ca/childrenscharity
or by mail:

President's Choice(R) Children's Charity
1 President's Choice Circle
Brampton, Ont. L6Y 5S5

About President's Choice(R) Children's Charity

Founded in 1989, PCCC is dedicated to making difficult lives a little
easier by helping children who are physically or developmentally challenged
remove obstacles that make everyday living extremely difficult through funding
for adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, therapy and more. The
charity ensures that 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to
helping children. With offices in Toronto, Calgary, Dartmouth and Ville
Saint-Laurent, more than $30 million has been granted, assisting more than
5,200 families across Canada. Charitable Registration No. BN 86842 1546
RR0001.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a
leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and
services. Through its various operating banners, Loblaw is committed to
providing Canadians with a one-stop destination in meeting their food and
everyday household needs. This goal is pursued through a portfolio of store
formats across the country. It also offers one of Canada's strongest control
label programs, including the unique President's Choice(R) and no name(R)
brands. Loblaw is one of the largest private-sector employers in Canada,
employing over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees.