LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Los Angeles Rams players Maurice Alexander, Michael Brockers, Marqui Christian, Cody Davis, Aaron Donald, Dominique Easley, Nic Grigsby, Matt Longacre, Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims, Cam Thomas and Ethan Westbrooks, along with team members from Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) joined together with Los Angeles-area students to support the American Red Cross’ “Holidays for Heroes” program. This program enables the public to write and send notes of support and gratitude to service members, veterans and their families during the holiday season. Wells Fargo has a strong and committed partnership with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. Through its philanthropic support, the program was joined by Rams at Acacia Elementary in Thousand Oaks and at Kelso Elementary in Inglewood to help students write cards that will be sent to service members overseas this holiday season.

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Wells Fargo team members, LA Rams players, including defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and students at Acacia Elementary School write holiday cards for service members to support the American Red Cross' "Holidays for Heroes" program on Thurs., Nov. 10, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Casey Rodgers/AP Images for Wells Fargo)

“Our armed forces deserve all the support we can give them, especially during the holidays when they’re away from their families and loved ones,” said Aaron Donald, Rams defensive tackle, who helped write holiday cards today. “While these cards may seem like a small gesture, the impact they can make in somebody’s daily life is significant. The Rams are proud to bring this initiative with us to Los Angeles and we want our men and women serving overseas to know we’re thinking of them, we appreciate them and we want them to come home safely.”

As a professional sports team, the Rams recognize their unique ability to help raise both awareness and money for issues and causes relevant to their fans and fellow citizens. The organization is committed to being a valuable community partner and benefitting the Los Angeles region 365 days a year. The Rams Community Affairs team focuses substantial resources on efforts to engage youth in activities that promote health, fitness and character development. The team also participates in a variety of special events to raise awareness and funds for numerous local non-profits.

“The holidays are a time to express gratitude, and the American Red Cross has given all of us a wonderful way to say thank you to our service members and veterans for their sacrifices to keep us safe,” said David DiCristofaro, lead region president of Wells Fargo in Greater Los Angeles. “As we approach and remember Veterans Day this weekend, it was great to work with the Rams, students and the Red Cross to send these notes of appreciation.”

Since 1999, Wells Fargo has given more than $1.8 million to the American Red Cross chapters across greater Los Angeles to support a number of initiatives, including disaster preparedness and response. The company’s commitment to the American Red Cross is one part of its contributions to the Los Angeles community. For more than half a decade, Wells Fargo has been ranked the top corporate philanthropic donor in Los Angeles. In 2015, the company donated more than $22 million to regional nonprofits and team members volunteered 41,800 hours at organizations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

“Today’s event is a great example of what’s possible when members of a community unite for an important cause,” said Jarrett Barrios, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “We thank the Rams and Wells Fargo for their hands-on support of our military members, and encourage anyone to reach out to their local Red Cross chapter to create their own cards.”

About the Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams – Los Angeles’ original professional sports team – stand as one of the oldest franchises in the National Football League and since its founding in 1937, have garnered three World Championships and sent 29 of its members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a professional sports team, the organization is committed to being a valuable civic partner and serving the greater Los Angeles area 365 days a year. For more information visit www.therams.com and follow the Rams on Facebook and Twitter, @RamsNFL.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,600 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 269,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 27 on Fortune’s 2016 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. In 2015, Wells Fargo donated $281.3 million to 16,300 nonprofits, ranking No. 3 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s rankings of the top corporate cash philanthropists. Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.86 million hours in 2015, serving more than 40,000 nonprofits. Wells Fargo’s corporate social responsibility efforts are focused on three priorities: economic empowerment in underserved communities, environmental sustainability, and advancing diversity and social inclusion. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. For more information on Wells Fargo’s commitment to community service, visit https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/

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