Marines Partner with Winn-Dixie, Customers to Spread Christmas Cheer to Needy Children

Customers Can Make Cash Donations to Toys for Tots While Grocery Shopping; Grocer Jump-Starts Campaign With $25,000 Donation

Jacksonville, FL, November 29, 2006 - Winn-Dixie customers can help spread Christmas cheer as they do their normal grocery shopping this holiday season. Beginning today and continuing through Dec. 24, shoppers can act as "elves" by making a cash donation to Toys for Tots at their neighborhood Winn-Dixie. The fundraising program is a unique twist to the traditional toy collection drives. The donations will help the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation provide toys to parents unable to afford gifts for their children.

Customers at Winn-Dixie stores throughout the Southeast can designate an amount ranging from 50 cents to $50 to be added to their grocery bills at the time of checkout. In return, donors receive Toys for Tots paper ornaments to display on their trees at home. Winn-Dixie jump-started the fundraising program by announcing a donation of $25,000 to Toys for Tots in addition to hosting kick-off events in select stores in Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami and New Orleans. All donations collected through the program will directly benefit families in the communities where they are raised.

"Cash donations go a long way in helping us fill the gap between the toys we receive as donations and the toys that we have to purchase," said Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret), vice president for Toys for Tots. "Our mission is to make sure every needy child receives a toy for Christmas. We couldn’t do that without the tremendous help of corporate partners like Winn Dixie, and individual volunteers and donors."

"Toys for Tots embodies the true spirit of Christmas and Winn-Dixie is honored to be a part of a program that will bring some holiday joy to those who need it the most," said Terry Derreberry, director of neighborhood marketing for Winn-Dixie. "We hold the Toys for Tots organization in the highest regard because not only do the Marines serve and protect our country overseas, they make sure people are taken care of in their own communities through Toys for Tots."

The nationally recognized Toys for Tots campaign is a 59-year Marine tradition. Last year, Marines distributed more than 18.4 million toys to more than 7.5 million children in 520 communities throughout the country.

"The holidays are an especially busy time for our customers," added Derreberry. "We are excited about this fundraising program because it gives our customers an easy and convenient way to donate while filling an important need for Toys for Tots."

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the company is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

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