FREEPORT, Maine, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- L.L.Bean announced today a $150,000 commitment to relief efforts for children and families severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  Funds are being donated to Save the Children, an organization that provides families with food, supplies and medical care and helps communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. 

Hurricane Sandy forced many families, including thousands of children, to flee their homes and seek refuge in shelters, according to reports by the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA).  Save the Children, working with FEMA, the Red Cross, the city of New York and other partners, is creating safe play areas to help children begin to recover from disaster-induced emotional distress. In addition to child-friendly spaces, Save the Children is providing basic necessities for young children, including backpacks filled with needed items including blankets, clothing and hygiene supplies.

"Working directly with Save the Children will ensure families have a resource to turn to for immediate support and for ongoing needs long after the storm," said Chris McCormick, president and chief executive officer of L.L.Bean. "This disaster hits close to home.  L.L.Bean has hundreds of employees living and working in the impacted areas, so we know first-hand of the devastation.  It's imperative to support the people in these affected communities, where many have been long-time L.L.Bean customers."

L.L.Bean will donate $50,000 in cash to support Save the Children's Hurricane Sandy Children in Emergency Fund and an additional $100,000 in L.L.Bean product, fulfilling Save the Children's specific request for essential items such as towels, flashlights, backpacks, hats and gloves.

To support Save the Children's response to immediate and ongoing needs following the storm, donate to the Hurricane Sandy Children in Emergency Fund by visiting: www.savethechildren.org/sandy.  Or text HURRICANE to 20222 to donate $10 from your mobile phone. When you receive a text message, reply YES.

About L.L.Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel.  Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown over the past 100 years, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. To celebrate the company's centennial, L.L.Bean is reigniting America's passion for the outdoors, with donations of nearly $3 million to organizations that engage young people and their families in outdoor recreation. Over the past 10 years, L.L.Bean has given nearly $26 million to local, state, regional and national conservation, human service, education and arts organizations.  L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free. The 200,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

SOURCE L.L.Bean