Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Safeway stores are teaming up with area Easter Seals affiliates this month to raise money to assist peole with disabilities.

The company has pledged to raise $5 million by the end of April. Locally, Safeway stores are partnering with Easter Seals Hawaii for fundraisers including employee and customer donations and awareness events.

Customers and employees may donate money at checkout stands.

The campaign also includes the distribution of information about Easter Seals at stores and through its Web site, www.safeway.com.

"This is the 22nd year Easter Seals Hawaii programs have benefited directly from our Easter Seals national partnership with Safeway and the wonderful generosity of our community," said John Howell, president and chief executive officer of Easter Seals Hawaii. "All money raised in Hawai'i stays in Hawai'i to directly benefit children and adults with disabilities and their families throughout our state."

The Safeway campaign coincides with Autism Awareness Month, an Easter Seals program to raise awareness about autism services and treatments available to families.

Easter Seals is the largest provider of services and support for children and adults living with autism. More than 1.5 million Americans live with autism. As many as one in 150 children are diagnosed with the condition each year.

Safeway is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America. The company operates 1,761 stores in the U.S. and Canada and reported annual sales of $40.2 billion last year.

For more information about Easter Seals Hawaii, visit http://hawaii.easterseals.com.