SAN FRANCISCO -- AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah announced today that it will match employee and member donations up to a total $250,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund to provide emergency aid to victims of the recent disaster in Southern Asia.

The new pledge of money is aimed at expanding aid efforts now underway. Many of the auto club's 6,000 employees and 4.2 million members had already begun giving and gathering donations for international relief efforts to help earthquake and tsunami victims.

"The people here at AAA want to help because it's in our very nature to reach out a hand to others," said AAA President and CEO James R. Pouliot. "What we're doing is a reflection of one of our fundamental missions as an organization, delivering help to people when they need it."

AAA members who wish to have their contributions matched can take checks made out to the American Red Cross to any AAA office, or donate by credit card online at www.csaa.com.

AAA of Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services its members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

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