CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust Awards $28,400 Dollars to Five Non-Profit Organizations in Texas

The CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust, the private foundation managed by CVS Corporation , announced today that it has awarded $28,400 in grants to five non-profit organizations in Texas.

"We are pleased to support these very worthy charities that are working hard in our communities to improve people's lives," said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President of the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust. "A CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust grant is an effective way for us to give back to the communities where we do business. We are especially pleased to expand our grant program to the many new markets we entered in late 2004 through our acquisition of 1,260 Eckerd drug stores."

Grants were awarded to organizations dedicated to healthcare, education and community engagement. "The foundation focuses on those projects that clearly demonstrate they are meeting a need within the community, and where collaborative efforts and measurement tools are in place to track success. We are confident that each of the non-profits we chose to work with in the coming year will create positive change and influence in the communities we serve together," said Howard Dunn.

In many cases, CVS/pharmacy associates become involved with grantees by providing volunteer assistance, participating in other fund-raisers and assisting in outreach and education services.

Texas based organizations that received a grant from the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust are:

Collaborative for Children, Inc.

Description of program: Program plans to serve pregnant mothers with low incomes and limited literacy levels. Offers expectant parents the opportunity to experience a caring relationship with a healthcare provider that helps them achieve a healthy pregnant outcome. Project designed to decrease the numbers of low birth weight babies and increase literacy levels of mothers so they're equipped to raise children who become readers.

  Link to website: http://www.initiativesforchildren.org/
  Contact name at organization: Barbara Stout (832) 615-1140

  ESCAPE Family Resource Center

Description of program: Building Confident Families is the organizations core child abuse and neglect prevention program. It consists of a 7-week family education course that assists parents and children in developing skills to live safely and happily together. The goal is to measurably reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect in the Greater Houston area. Results haven shown improvement as a result of program. Link to website: http://www.escapefrc.org/ Contact name at organization: Lidya K. Osadchey (713) 942-9500

City of Ennis, Texas

Description of grant: Funding to assist in the construction of a 15 acre community park with accessible pavilion with restrooms and water fountain, 3 picnic shelters, sidewalks with accessible fishing areas, lighting for night time access.

  Link to website: http://www.ennis-texas.com/
  Contact name at organization: Steve Howerton (972) 875-1234

  Goodwill Industries of Houston

Description of grant: Amount will fund a portion of cost of the Education, Employment, and Training Programs & Services. This program teaches life skills and work skills that individuals with disabilities and other life barriers to employment need in order to obtain and maintain employment. Link to website: http://www.goodwillhouston.org/ Contact name at organization: Sherri Lowe (713) 699-6337

YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas

Description of grant: The Trust's Funding will support YWCA's bi-annual health fairs, hosted each spring and fall. Designed especially for low-income families, the fairs will provide services for free or at a minimal cost. Fairs will convene health care specialists; insurers and educators to help low- income and minority women, children and families overcome barriers faced in health care. All services offered in English and Spanish. Link to website: http://www.ywcadallas.org/ Contact name at organization: Britni Manry (214) 584-2345

The CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust will be accepting applications for 2005 grants from May 1 to June 15, 2005.

For additional information, go to http://www.cvs.com/corpInfo/community/charitable_mission.html.

The CVS Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation managed by CVS Corporation, which operates more than 5,000 CVS/pharmacy stores in 36 states. The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in communities where CVS stores are located. General information about CVS is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website at http://investor.cvs.com/, or through the website's press room at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom.

  CONTACT:
   Mike DeAngelis
   CVS Corporation
   401-770-2645

SOURCE: CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust