New Orleans, LA (October 3, 2006) – The Fore!Kids Foundation was awarded $1 million by the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund to help local children's charities that are on the frontline for mental health, childcare and early education, special needs, and safety and recreation. Today, the Fore!Kids Foundation announced that it has selected nine local agencies to share the $1 million award. After a rigorous selection process, the Foundation chose agencies that demonstrated the most need and those that were in the forefront of the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

The following agencies will receive between $40,000 - $80,000 per year of the two-year award:

• American Lung Association
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana
• Catholic Charities Archdiocese New Orleans
• Children's Bureau
• Family Services of Greater New Orleans
• Kingsley House
• New Orleans Speech & Hearing Center/Bright School
• Start the Adventures in Reading (STAIR)
• Volunteers of America

In addition, two agencies will receive a one-time funding for equipment and supply needs:

• Jefferson Community School
• Louisiana Pulmonary Disease Camp

"We are so grateful to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund for their amazing generosity in such an important time of need," said Tommy Fonseca, President of the Fore!Kids Foundation. "To be able to significantly help so many worthwhile agencies is a dream come true and will help to further the Foundation's mission of helping area children's charities. We hope this is the first of many opportunities involving our Foundation in the rebuild efforts still to come."

About the Fore!Kids Foundation
The Fore!Kids Foundation produces the annual stop on the PGA TOUR in New Orleans. The Foundation also hosts the Golf Ball (a black tie gala) as well as a series of events in which amateurs participate and the proceeds are distributed to a specific charity. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $13 million to area charities. Additionally, the Fore!Kids Foundation, through the PGA TOUR event, provides an estimated $25 million in annual economic impact to the city and state. The tournament is televised to an international audience, allowing millions of people to see some of the area's greatest attractions.

About Zurich Financial Services
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 55,000 people serving customers in more than 120 countries.