Kaiser Permanente Provides $600,000 to Help People Impacted by Recent Fires in Southern California

PASADENA, Calif.--()--Kaiser Permanente, 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 County Thomas 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.”

The United Way of Ventura County and the American Red Cross will get together this week with other organizations to determine how best to serve all those affected.

“We want our friends and neighbors to know that we stand united with them now more than ever and are grateful for the support 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 Permanente to 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 Cross and Mental Health America of Greater Houston for hurricane relief following Hurricane Harvey.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 11.7 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

Contacts

Kaiser Permanente
Southern California Region
Sandra Hernandez-Millett
Office: 626-405-5384
Cell: 626-696-9051
sandra.d.hernandez-millett@kp.org

Release Summary

Kaiser Permanente provides $600,000 to immediate support for relief & recovery efforts in communities impacted by Southern California wildfires.

Contacts

Kaiser Permanente
Southern California Region
Sandra Hernandez-Millett
Office: 626-405-5384
Cell: 626-696-9051
sandra.d.hernandez-millett@kp.org