HOUSTON, May 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- MetroBank, N.A., a community bank in Houston and Dallas, today announces a community-wide drive to raise funds for the victims of the recent earthquake disaster in China's Sichuan Province. MetroBank will match every dollar donated by our employees, local businesses, individuals and organizations up to $50,000. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.
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"The 7.9 earthquake that struck Southwestern China with so much force has caused untold suffering," remarked George Lee, CEO of MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc., of which MetroBank, N.A. is a subsidiary.
"Community outreach in times of extraordinary emergency is critical, and MetroBank is anxious to provide support for the relief effort in the best way we can; the same relief efforts were made by MetroBank during the 2004 Southeast Asian Tsunami and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do meaningfully for the victims of the Nargis Cyclone in Myanmar due to the lack of effective contribution channels, but we will keep our eyes and hearts open to the situation," added Mr. Lee. "We encourage all people and organizations across Texas to join in the international response to this horrific tragedy. Our local community outreach effort is perhaps the single most important task we can initiate to help the region recover."
Please help MetroBank raise funds for disaster relief and join the outpouring of international support to China earthquake victims. To contribute, please make your check payable to "American Red Cross/International Response Fund" and please note on the memo line of your check "Sichuan Earthquake Relief." Please mail your check to MetroBank or drop off the check at any MetroBank branch before June 15, 2008.
Metro Bank Attn: Sichuan Earthquake Relief P.O. Box 4760 Houston, Texas 77210-4760
The MetroCorp Bancshares Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2894
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
