AutoZone Partners With the USO to Rally Customers to Support Our Troops

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2004 -- This holiday season will be a little brighter for U.S. service men and women and their families thanks to a new effort announced today between the USO and AutoZone. The AutoZone Yellow Ribbon Fund will afford AutoZone customers nationwide the opportunity to support USO programs and services to benefit U.S. troops worldwide by making an in-store donation.

"We are asking our customers to join AutoZone and the USO in supporting our troops and their families this holiday season," said Steve Odland, AutoZone's chairman, president and CEO. "One hundred percent of the contributions will fund USO programs and services to benefit our troops worldwide."

"The USO is grateful to AutoZone for launching this special effort and for helping the USO continue to boost the morale of our men and women around the world, especially during the holiday season," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO.

The AutoZone Yellow Ribbon Fund, which runs through January 9, 2005, will be marketed through a national radio and print campaign. In addition, there will be in-store advertising and promotion.

"The AutoZone Yellow Ribbon Fund is also our way to show our gratitude to all of our AutoZoners who are serving our country in the armed forces," said Odland. "Their service and sacrifices are an inspiration to all of us."

About USO:

The USO is a nonprofit charitable corporation and relies on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The mission of the USO is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel and their families. The USO currently operates 124 centers around the world, including five mobile canteens, with 70 stateside centers, three in the Caribbean and 46 overseas. For more information about USO, please visit our web site at http://www.uso.org/.

About AutoZone:

As of August 28, 2004, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,420 AutoZone stores in 48 states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. and 63 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information through http://www.alldatadiy.com/ and auto and light truck parts through http://www.autozone.com/.