HOUSTON - Marathon Oil Corporation and its subsidiary Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC announced that the companies will contribute up to $1 million in support of countries devastated by the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.

The contribution will consist of an initial payment of $500,000 - $250,000 from each company - equally distributed to the American Red Cross and UNICEF.

In addition, the companies will match contributions made by employees, annuitants, Marathon Brand dealers, jobbers and wholesale customers to either of these same two relief organizations by Jan. 31, on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $500,000.

With strong participation from eligible matching gift participants, the total contribution could reach $1.5 million.

"We're very pleased that Marathon and Marathon Ashland Petroleum are supporting the tsunami relief effort," said Doug Sparkman, Plant Manager, Catlettsburg Refining, LLC. "We are even more pleased that they are giving us this opportunity through matching contributions to help provide additional relief to those affected by this disaster."