Kaiser Permanente, (No. 2 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list) the nation’s largest integrated health system, today announced a $600,000 contribution to provide immediate support for relief and recovery efforts in communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires, from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
Kaiser Permanente is giving $350,000 to the United Way of Ventura CountyThomas Fire Disaster Relief Fund. The organization will also provide $250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate disaster relief. The funds will be used to provide food, shelter and comfort to victims of the fires throughout the impacted counties.
“We are saddened by the devastation these firestorms are causing,” said Julie Miller-Phipps, president, Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. “It is particularly heartbreaking that so many people have lost their homes just before the holidays. It is vital that we offer our Kaiser Permanente members, their families and the communities we serve the support they need during this critical time.”
“We want our friends and neighbors to know that we stand united with them now more than everand are grateful for thesupport from Kaiser Permanente,”said Eric Harrison, president and chief executive officer, United Way of Ventura County. “As a result, we have reset our Thomas Fire Fund Goal to $2.5 million by the end of 2017 and will deploy these funds to those who have experienced devastation and heartache beyond measure.”
Gail McGovern, president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, “We are so grateful for the generous support of Kaiser Permanenteto the American Red Cross as we work to provide food and shelter to people affected by the fires. We truly appreciate their meaningful support of our humanitarian mission.”
Kaiser Permanente has contributed financial resources to relief and recovery efforts following several major natural disasters this year. For instance, the health care organization donated $2.75 million in support of Northern California following the devastating fires in October. Kaiser Permanente also donated to the American Red Crossand Mental Health America of Greater Houston for hurricane relief following Hurricane Harvey.
