GE Elfun Volunteers To Hold 6th Annual Halloween Party For 300 Kids at Mary's Place Wednesday, October 22

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 17, 2003 -- Approximately 300 kids at Mary's Place in Minneapolis are gearing up for a fun evening of games, pizza and Halloween goodies -- an event that has become an annual favorite for GE volunteers and the resident children. This year's Mary's Place Halloween Party will feature special appearances by the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, Ragnar the Viking mascot, and members of the Minnesota Gophers football team.

The event will be held Wednesday, October 22, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Mary's Place, a transitional living center for women and children in need at 401 N. 7th Street in Minneapolis. GE Elfun Volunteers and employees from GE businesses across the Twin Cities donate Halloween costumes, decorations and accessories to the event each year. This is the sixth year for the GE sponsored event.

"I wish everyone in our community could see the joy this event brings to the children," commented Mary Copeland, founder and director of Sharing and Caring Hands. "GE has helped make a difference in the lives of so many of our children here with the Halloween event."

Pam Buchanan, event co-coordinator for GE Elfun Volunteers, noted that the high-energy event has become "one of the most rewarding, fun events we participate in each year." Pam commented, "The children have a blast and we enjoy the partnership we continue to have with this wonderful community organization, Mary's Place."

GE Elfun Volunteers is a global volunteer organization of GE employees and retirees who are committed to improving communities and lives through volunteerism, leadership, and camaraderie. The Twin Cities' Elfun Chapter represents more than 200 active and retired GE employees.

GE Fleet Services, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a global fleet management company with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GE Fleet Services is a unit of GE Equipment Management, which helps customers finance and manage a wide variety of business equipment, enabling them to drive growth and productivity worldwide. General Electric Company is a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.

GE Fleet Services website www.gefleet.com and GE Elfun site