ATLANTA, Sep 22, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Children's Wish Foundation International has partnered with U.S. Bank to offer the Children's Wish Foundation International Visa(R) credit card that generates funds for the foundation each time a new card is activated and then again each and every time the card is used.

Children's Wish Foundation International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling wishes for seriously ill children around the world. In 1978, Linda Dozoretz lost her eldest daughter to bone cancer. After spending months caring for her daughter, she began volunteering with local organizations to raise money for cancer research. For her efforts, she was awarded a trip to Disneyland. Dozoretz chose to give that trip to "a little girl who would never grow up," thus fulfilling the first of thousands of wishes to date. Since that time she has continued to fulfill wishes for children and in 1985, formed Children's Wish Foundation International. Dozoretz now serves as its executive director, overseeing all wishes.

"The Children's Wish Foundation has brought happiness to families whose lives have been impacted by serious illness, which they credit to their legions of supporters in the United States and around the world. We're proud to help continue that legacy of support by enabling individuals to contribute to the foundation simply by using the Children's Wish Foundation International Visa to make everyday purchases," said Tanya Turner, senior vice president of affinity products at U.S. Bank.

Children's Wish Foundation International is headquartered in Atlanta. An international foundation, it fulfills wishes for children all around the world, yet keeps its costs to a minimum by maintaining only one office and a small staff. The foundation takes pride in providing personal attention to each family, developing and maintaining relationships with them that last years after their child's wish has been fulfilled. Each staff member carries a pager and is accessible to families 24 hours a day. With a worldwide network of volunteers, the foundation brings happiness to children in communities around the globe.

"We are honored to be working with U.S. Bank, a company that has already proven to be overwhelmingly generous to our Wish Children," said Christy Andrews, Children's Wish Foundation's vice president of operations and communications. "We feel confidant that their commitment to our special children will bring countless smiles to help them through the most tragic of circumstances."

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), with $204 billion in assets, is the 6th largest financial holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,383 banking offices and 4,877 ATMs in 24 states, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp is home of the Five Star Service Guarantee in which the company pays customers if certain key banking benefits and services are not met. U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at usbank.com.

SOURCE: U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank
Teri Charest, 612-303-0732
OR
CWF
Christy Andrews, 800-323-9474