Rite Aid Foundation pledges $50,000 to Red Cross' Japan earthquake fund

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s philanthropic arm is donating to relief efforts in Japan.

The Rite Aid Foundation announced Wednesday that it was donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross' Japan earthquake fund.

“Our hearts go out to the victims, families and communities affected by this devastating tragedy,” Rite Aid Foundation president Mary Sammons said. “We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross and assist them in their mission of helping the people of Japan in their time of need.”

An earthquake measuring approximately 9.0 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Japan near the city of Sendai on Friday. The earthquake, together with the tsunami it triggered, are estimated to have killed up to 4,000 people and left half a million homeless.

In addition, workers continued struggling Wednesday to cool the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to prevent a possible meltdown in what many are calling the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.