Discount Drug Mart customers raise $68,170.71 for California wildfire victims

Discount Drug Mart, Inc., a family run, employee-owned company, and its customers have raised $68,170.71 for the American Red Cross to help people affected by the California wildfires. The fires have killed 29 people, forced more than 200,000 to evacuate, destroyed more than 18,000 homes and burned more than 57,000 acres.

Representatives from Discount Drug Mart and volunteers from the American Red Cross joined Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell and firefighters from the City of Medina on Feb. 26 at the Discount Drug Mart store located at 5923 Wooster Pike Road for the check presentation.

[Read more: Retailers provide support to those impacted by Southern California wildfires]

“When you see the devastation, you can’t help but want to assist the people who are trying to recover and find some sense of normalcy after losing, in many cases, everything,” said Don Boodjeh, chief executive officer, Discount Drug Mart. “Our customers are behind the success of this campaign. They continue to show up in a big way when people are in need. We are grateful to them and honored to help our friends in California who are suffering.”

Discount Drug Mart’s 79 stores across Ohio participated in a Round-up and Donation Campaign which ran from Jan. 27 through Feb. 10. Customers were able to donate the change they would normally get back by rounding up to the nearest dollar. Customers also had the option to make a specific donation. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

[Read more: Retailers provide support following Hurricanes Helene, Milton

“Support from the community and partners like Discount Drug Mart allows the Red Cross to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. We are thankful for the partnership that lets us do lifesaving work,” said Rachel Stine, executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley.