[April 17, 2014]

Kaiser Permanente Southern California & Goodwill Industries Earth Day Events Support Healthy Communities

From Los Angeles to San Diego, more than 15 Kaiser Permanente facilities will team up with Goodwill Southern California to celebrate Earth Day with region-wide opportunities for on-site collection of e-waste, donations and recycling. This marks the eighth consecutive year Kaiser Permanente and Goodwill Southern California have come together to create, support and maintain healthy environments and communities.

"In 2013 alone, our partnership with Goodwill Southern California and the Secure Document Alliance, along with our Earth Day events helped to create more than 50 jobs for persons with disabilities," said Scott Wendling, regional executive of support services, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region. "By offering our employees, physicians and community residents a responsible method for disposing of electronic equipment as well as donating other goods to this program, we are meeting our environmental stewardship goals and protecting the health of our communities."

Kaiser Permanente's partnership with Goodwill Southern California and the Secure Document Alliance ensures the environmentally-friendly and secure disposal and recycling of collected document and paper waste, exceeding the Department of Defense standards in wiping, degaussing and crushing hard drives. The Alliance in Southern California includes Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Goodwill Southern California, Goodwill Orange County, Goodwill San Diego, and Bakersfield ARC.

Last year, Earth Day activities sponsored by the Kaiser Permanente and Goodwill Southern California partnership diverted more than 18 tons of waste from landfills. This year, Goodwill Southern California will be standing by with 28-foot trailers to properly recycle or dispose of electronic waste and other goods. Donations of electronic equipment such as phones, television sets and computers, as well as gently used and new clothing, accessories, household goods, books, e-media and collectibles will be accepted.

"We have enjoyed our partnership with Kaiser Permanente Southern California over the years and are very happy to team up again this year to help care for the earth," said Craig Smith, chief executive officer and president of Goodwill Southern California. "The Earth Day e-waste and donation drive events we host annually help us engage and enrich the community through the diversion of thousands of pounds of usable and recyclable goods from landfills while providing sustainable employment for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages. And that's good for everyone."

On Thursday, April 24, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kaiser Permanente Southern California regional headquarters in Pasadena, located at 393 East Walnut Street, will have its e-waste and donation drop-off point on North Euclid Avenue between East Walnut and East Corson Street. Goodwill Southern California representatives will assist with heavy items and provide receipts for tax purposes.

About Goodwill Southern California

Transforming lives through the power of work, we serve people with disabilities or other vocational challenges, as well as businesses, by providing education, training, work experience and job placement services. Each year, GSC prepares and places thousands of individuals with disabilities and vocational disadvantages into sustainable employment through programs and services offered at three campuses, six Career Resource Centers and three WorkSource Centers throughout Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino counties. GSC supports its mission of "Transforming lives through the Power of Work" with proceeds generated from 79 retail stores and 44 attended donation centers. Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator has awarded GSC its highest four-star ranking for 13 consecutive years; largely due to the fact GSC spends 93 percent of its budget on programs and services. Committed to caring for the earth, last year GSC diverted 67.4 million pounds of reusable or recyclable goods from landfills. Goodwill is Good For Everyone! For more information about Goodwill Southern California, please call (888) 4-GOODWILL or visit www.goodwillsocal.org.

About Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans, serving more than 3.7 million members in Southern California. Our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services and focus on the total health of our members and the communities we serve. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/share.

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