As of today, CME's shareholders, members and staff have raised nearly $207,000 for the foundation. Those donations supplement the $1 million contribution the exchange authorized the week of the attacks, leading to the creation of the foundation.
In addition, CME staff initiated a program to raise money for the relief efforts through the sale of specially created T-shirts displaying an American flag design with the message, "Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Cares." Members and staff of the exchange are expected to wear the T-shirts to work this Friday, when CME will have a dress-down day for the Columbus Day holiday. CME also plans to sell flag patches to raise additional funds this month and has scheduled an on-site blood drive for Friday, Oct. 26.
"We are truly gratified by the outpouring of support this effort has received," said CME Chairman Scott Gordon. "The generosity of spirit within the CME community is symbolic of the tremendous support the world has expressed for those who have been affected by this disaster."
"So many of us have wanted to do our small part to make a difference in the lives of the people most directly affected by this disaster," said CME President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNulty. "It is an honor for us to provide this assistance, and we are so proud of our shareholders, members and staff for their response since Sept. 11."
The CME Foundation was incorporated Sept. 21 as a nonprofit organization. Among the organizations the CME Foundation is supporting are the Chicago Remembers Fund, American Red Cross, New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund, WTC Police Disaster Relief Fund, New York Times 9/11 Neediest Fund, Armed Services YMCA, Carr Futures World Trade Center Memorial Fund and Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (www.cme.com) is an international marketplace that brings together buyers and sellers on its trading floors and GLOBEX®2 around-the-clock electronic trading system. CME offers futures contracts and options on futures primarily in four product areas: interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities. The exchange moves about $1.5 billion per day in settlement payments and manages $28.4 billion in collateral deposits.
