CREVE COEUR, Mo., December 19, 2007 - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NASDAQ: SSCC) has announced a $1 million pledge to the YMCA of Greater St. Louis "Building a Stronger, Healthier Community" capital campaign to support expansion throughout the St. Louis region.
Smurfit-Stone's Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Moore is a member of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Board of Directors and is serving as chair of the capital campaign.
"At Smurfit-Stone, we believe it is important to give back to the communities where we live and do business. I can't think of a better way we could do so than by helping the hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in the Greater St. Louis area who seek a healthier lifestyle and opportunities for learning and personal development," Moore said.
The $1 million gift will support building expansion at five area YMCA branches, capital projects at YMCA of the Ozark's Camp Lakewood, construction of a new YMCA facility to serve the growing population of Wentzville, MO, and program expansions aimed at tripling the number of youth served in St. Louis' urban core.
A previous Smurfit-Stone gift of $600,000 to the YMCA's 2000 capital campaign helped the YMCA reach more than 400,000 participants, build the South City Family YMCA and the Edward Jones Family YMCA, and establish the Monsanto Family YMCA as a hub in north St. Louis.
"We are extremely fortunate not only to have a history of great support from Smurfit-Stone but also to benefit from the leadership and strong personal commitment of Pat Moore," said Gary Schlansker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. "Pat and Smurfit-Stone have played vital roles in the YMCA's growth and ability to serve our community."
"Education and health are the two most pressing issues facing the St. Louis community," Moore said. "The YMCA has been and remains at the crossroads of these issues.
"Neighborhood Ys benefit the communities where they are located by nurturing the healthy development of children and teens, strengthening families and making our communities healthier, safer and better places to live," Moore said. "I personally enjoy supporting YMCAs because I believe in the positive impact they have in their communities."
Nationally, the YMCA helps meet the health and social service needs of nearly 17 million men, women, and children
Founded in 1853, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Last year the YMCA served more than 604,000 participants through programs that build healthy spirits, minds and bodies. The YMCA of Greater St. Louis has 20 branches and more than 400 program sites in the St. Louis area. For information, visit http://www.ymcastlouis.org/
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Contact: Tim Rowden (Media) 314-656-5942
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging products and services, and is one of the world's largest paper recyclers. Smurfit-Stone is reshaping the world of packaging to drive profitable growth for our business and our customers' businesses by delivering the strongest price-value equation in the marketplace. The company is a leading provider of custom, proprietary and standard automated packaging machines, offering customers turn key installation, automation, line integration and packaging solutions. Smurfit-Stone is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and the Chicago Climate Exchange. The company generated revenue of $7.2 billion in 2006, has led the industry in safety every year since 2001, and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association.
