CHICAGO (April 17, 2013) - As part of its continued commitment to the City of Chicago, Aon plc (NYSE:AON), the leading global provider of risk management and human resource consulting and outsourcing, today announced that it has made a $500,000 commitment to the American Red Cross, Greater Chicago Region to help support the refurbishment and technological enhancement of its Emergency Operations Center, which will be named the Aon Emergency Operations Center. Aon also renewed its participation in the American Red Cross national Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) for 2013 which supports disaster relief efforts across the nation and around the world and again provided a sponsorship of the Nurse Hero Award at the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast in Chicago.

“Aon strives to empower the hundreds of communities where our firm operates every day,” said Kelly Smith, Executive Managing Director, Aon Benfield and Greater Chicago Red Cross board member. “We are pleased to continue our partnership and investment in the American Red Cross, particularly in Chicago, as it continues to provide critical services like shelter, food and emotional support to people in need.”

Aon’s commitment to the Red Cross’ Chicago Emergency Operations Center will be used to ensure that the center remains a state-of-the-art facility capable of serving the growing needs of the Chicago community.  The donation will be paid over the next five years.

Aon’s 2013 participation in the ADGP marks the firm’s third straight year of involvement with the program. Its financial support will help the Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of those impacted by natural disasters both in the United States and abroad. In 2012, the participation of Aon and other corporate partners in the program enabled the Red Cross to prepare for Superstorm Sandy and rapidly respond to those in need. 

Additionally, Aon will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Nurse Hero award at this year’s Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. The award will be presented to Norma Rolfsen, Project Director and Family Nurse Practitioner at the Michael Reese Research and Educational Foundation, for her two decades of work with people living with HIV and AIDS. The awards honor 13 individuals who have demonstrated acts of heroism in the Chicago community.

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About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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