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Movie Gallery Supports Research into Sight, Speech and Hearing with Helen Keller Foundation Partnership

Posted on: Thursday, 4 June 2009, 08:06 CDT

- Retailer launches fundraising campaign with proceeds benefiting Helen Keller Foundation -

WILSONVILLE, Ore., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Movie Gallery is launching its fifth annual fundraising campaign to support the Helen Keller Foundation, an international charity that helps raise money to benefit education and research programs in sight and hearing. Beginning on June 8th and lasting through July 5th, Movie Gallery stores will host an in-store fundraising effort to generate money for the Foundation in honor of its namesake, Helen Keller.

"Movie Gallery entertains the senses of sight and hearing for its customers across North America and, in turn, their devoted customers have contributed generously to sponsor sight and hearing research," said Dr. Robert Morris, president, Helen Keller Foundation. "Movie Gallery and its customers have become the largest donors to the Helen Keller Foundation, and our medical research accomplishments are a direct reflection of their generosity."

Since the partnership began in 2004, Movie Gallery has donated more than $3 million to the Helen Keller Foundation through campaigns in both its U.S. and Canadian stores. The annual program generates funds to support biomedical research, as well as the Helen Keller Foundation's programming. This includes the Helen Keller Education Program, designed to influence the moral development of students by focusing on the character and achievements of Helen Keller.

To participate in the June fundraising campaign, Movie Gallery customers throughout the U.S. and Canada can make a donation of $1 or more during checkout. In return, a personalized "Star" icon - resembling the stars from the Hollywood Walk of Fame - will be posted prominently in the store, recognizing their generosity and support of the cause. One hundred percent of the funds go directly to the Helen Keller Foundation.

"We value our ongoing relationship with the Helen Keller Foundation and applaud their continued efforts to enrich the lives of current and future generations of people with sight and hearing impairments," said Cliff Torng, chief marketing officer, Movie Gallery, Inc. "We have much to learn from the great legacy of Helen Keller and our customers recognize the importance of the Foundation's mission."

For more information, or to make a "Star" donation, please visit your local Movie Gallery store. To find the store nearest you, visit www.moviegallery.com.

About Movie Gallery

Movie Gallery(R) (www.moviegallery.com) is one of the nation's largest video rental chains with more than 1,850 locations across the country. Movie Gallery offers one of the widest selections of movie and game titles, for rental and for sale, both new and used. The Company strives to deliver an exceptional customer experience to every customer with warm and friendly service in an inviting atmosphere. Founded in 1985, and now based in Wilsonville, Oregon, Movie Gallery is owned and operated by Movie Gallery, Inc., which is also the parent company for the Game Crazy and Hollywood Video brands. Movie Gallery, Inc. is the second largest North American home entertainment specialty retailer with more than 3,700 stores located in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

About the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the home state of Helen Keller, the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education strives to prevent blindness and deafness by advancing research and education. The Foundation is directed by eminent scientists and research physicians working together with members of Helen Keller's family.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.helenkellerfoundation.org, or contact Laura Beckwith, Executive Director, (205)933-9389.

Media Contacts: Jennifer Newberg, jnewberg@coneinc.com/617.939.8359 Marc Berliner, mberliner@coneinc.com/617.939.8467

SOURCE Movie Gallery, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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