TORONTO, March 17 /CNW/ - CNW today announced a plan to raise funds to assist relief efforts for the people of Japan following the massive earthquake and tsunami of last week.

"We believe this is the best way for CNW to do the most good in this situation," said CEO Carolyn McGill. "Giving is an important part of our corporate culture."

CNW will donate a portion of revenues received for all news releases relating to aid in rescue, relief and recovery efforts or those issued by organizations in need of communicating disaster preparedness information, retroactively to March 11 and forward to April 15, 2011.

These funds will be donated to World Vision Canada to support its goal of raising $10 million worldwide.

In addition, CNW has set up an internal campaign to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross. The company will match employee donations made from today until April 15, 2011.

CNW has already issued more than 30 news releases from Canadian organizations that qualify for the fundraising effort. CNW would like to thank these clients for their ongoing business, without which this fundraising initiative would not be possible.

News releases issued in response to the disaster in Japan are available at the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=107835

A follow-up announcement will be released after April 15 to share the value of the funds raised.

Last year, CNW employed a similar fundraising strategy resulting in a sizable donation toward relief efforts in Haiti.

About CNW Group:

CNW connects organizations to relevant news audiences through integrated, intelligent communications and disclosure services. CNW offers newswire distribution, social media releases, webcast, video, photography, translation, regulatory filing services and MediaVantage, a web-based media monitoring application, communications and workflow solutions. CNW has been an industry leader since 1960. www.newswire.ca.