REI Teams with Local Non-Profit Partners through Launch of Facebook® Deals

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Seattle, WA – November 5, 2010 – REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national retailer providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced that it is a participating company in the beta launch of Facebook Deals. Beginning today, for every customer who checks in at an REI store through Facebook Places, the co-op will donate $1 to a selected non-profit in their community, up to $100,000.

Facebook Places gives people the power to easily share their location with friends on Facebook, find friends who are nearby and discover new places. Announced earlier this week by Facebook, Deals allows customers to take advantage of special offers or promotions when checking in to participating businesses through Facebook Places.   “Taking care of our local trails and parks is more important than ever before,” said Kevin Hagen, REI’s director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Facebook Deals provides another way for our members and customers to join us and our non-profit partners in helping maintain these outdoor places by checking in at one of our 114 stores.”   Through Deals, a local non-profit that is actively working to restore the outdoors will be supported in each REI community. The participating non-profit organizations will receive $1 for each customer that checks in to the store. For additional information and to view the list of the local non-profits participating, visit http://findout.rei.com/blogs/.      Each year, REI actively partners with local non-profit organizations in each of its communities through its employee-nominated grants program. In 2010, the company granted $3.7 million to groups that work to preserve natural spaces and increase access to the outdoors through volunteerism.   About REI REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.   Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.   # # #   REI10154