Hundreds of Microsoft Employees Hit the Streets To Assist Local Nonprofit Organizations

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 24, 1999 — Today more than 850 Microsoft Corp. employees will fan out to provide more than 100 King County nonprofit organizations with much-needed volunteer assistance. Dubbed the
“High Tech Challenge Day of Caring,”
this event is sponsored by the United Way to join local high-tech companies such as Microsoft with nonprofit organizations to deliver both traditional assistance and, for the first time, technical assistance. A majority of the volunteers will help nonprofit groups ensure that their systems are year 2000 ready.

“Microsoft employees again are surpassing expectations for volunteerism and commitment to their community through nonprofit organizations,”
said Joanne R. Harrell, president and CEO of the United Way of King County in Seattle.
“With more and more nonprofits extending their reach and better coordinating their efforts as a result of advanced technologies, supporting them through technology-based volunteerism makes great sense and will help them continue to deliver vital services to the community.”

In addition to joining with other high-tech companies to provide assistance, Microsoft will be working with NPower, a local nonprofit group that provides low-cost technical consulting and support for a wide range of charities in the Puget Sound area.

“Nonprofits answer so many critical community needs – housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, aiding the elderly and safeguarding our environment,”
said Joan Fanning, executive director at NPower.
“And, no less than businesses, they depend on technology to help them work as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

The more than 100 nonprofit organizations benefiting from the High Tech Challenge Day of Caring include organizations such as Children’s Home Society and Southeast Seattle Senior Foundation. In addition to helping with year 2000 readiness, Microsoft employees will tutor employees from local nonprofits on how to become more efficient using their existing software and will provide traditional support such as sorting toys and clothing for underprivileged children and cleaning up a hiking trail.

The High Tech Challenge Day of Caring is one of a variety of activities in which Microsoft employees will participate during this year’s Employee Giving Campaign. During this six-week fund-raising campaign, Microsoft employees aim to raise $15 million for local charities – $7.5 million in employee donations and an equal company match. This goal is an increase of 25 percent over last year’s Employee Giving Campaign totals. The annual campaign kicked off on Sept. 16 and wraps up Oct. 29.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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