Sidewalk Santas Get Help From the Butterfly and MSN Shopping Customers

Sidewalk Santas Get Help From the Butterfly and MSN Shopping Customers

MSN to Make Donation to Volunteers of America for Each Search Performed on MSN Shopping; Money Will Help Feed Hungry Families

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Living up to the old adage that it's better to give than to receive, the MSN(R) network of Internet services today announced that its shopping site will renew its sponsorship of Volunteers of America's Sidewalk Santa program, which helps feed hungry families. MSN Shopping ( http://shopping.msn.com/ ) will donate 25 cents to the organization for each Shopping Search performed on the site between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

With online retail sales this holiday season expected to increase 19 percent to $21.6 billion, according to JupiterResearch,* many people who normally donate to the Sidewalk Santas may not get the opportunity, since they'll be shopping from home instead of visiting the mall. To make up for this, MSN will contribute up to $25,000 to the Sidewalk Santas.

"MSN Shopping and its customers are helping us feed thousands of hungry families," said Linda McNeil, acting president and CEO of Volunteers of America of Greater New York. "We're thrilled to work with them, and we know that their generosity will make a real difference in people's lives this holiday season."

In addition to its donation, MSN Shopping will feature links to allow customers to donate directly to Volunteers of America.

"Shopping for the holidays is simple and fun with MSN Shopping, and we've made it just as easy for people to give to the Sidewalk Santas," said Julie Blackwell, business manager for MSN Shopping at Microsoft Corp. "With just a click of the mouse, shoppers can search for the perfect gift and at the same time make a donation to Volunteers of America."

Volunteers of America's Sidewalk Santa program will officially launch Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving and the busiest shopping day of the year.

About Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America has been at the forefront of social service for more than 100 years -- helping adults and children with special needs reach their full potential, and helping troubled individuals leave homelessness, addiction, untreated mental illness and intergenerational poverty behind for good. Their award-winning programs, skilled and dedicated staff, and caring volunteers bring hope and healing to communities throughout the United States each year.

About MSN

MSN attracts more than 360 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 40 markets and 20 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ . MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* JupiterResearch: "Holiday 2004 Forecast: Consumers Look to Internet for Inspiration and Planning," Nov. 16, 2004

NOTE: Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Garland Harwood of Maloney & Fox, +1-205-533-2523, or
gharwood@maloneyfox.com, or Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom,
+1-503-443-7070, or rrt@wagged.com, both for Microsoft Corp.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft(R) Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

-------
Profile: intent