Thank you to Wells Fargo & Company for its long-standing support of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, including its contribution of $10,000 to the Service to the Armed Forces and Veterans program. 

Just prior to Veterans’ Day, on Nov. 11, 2016, Wells Fargo employees and LA Rams representatives joined the Red Cross to promote the Red Cross’ “Holidays for Heroes” program, which enables the public to write and send notes of support and gratitude to service members, veterans and their families during the holidays and all year round. 

Representatives from the three organizations visited Acacia Elementary School in Thousand Oaks and Kelso Elementary School in Inglewood to write messages on holiday cards that will be distributed to members of the armed forces and veterans during the holiday season. 

“The holidays are a time to express gratitude, and the American Red Cross has given all of us a wonderful way to say thank you to our service members and veterans for their sacrifices to keep us safe,” said David DiCristofaro, lead region president of Wells Fargo in Greater Los Angeles and a former member of the Red Cross L.A. Region Board of Directors, who took part in the card writing event. 

Since 1999, Wells Fargo has contributed more than $1.8 million to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region and individual chapters in the L.A. area to support a number of initiatives, primarily for disaster preparedness and response. The company’s commitment to the American Red Cross is just one of its contributions to the Los Angeles community. 

“We thank Wells Fargo for its recent hands-on support of our military members and for its support of our many other initiatives to help our community members,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region.

Thank you to the Los Angeles Kings and the Kings Care Foundation for donating $30,000 to support the Red Cross L.A. Region’s Home Fire Preparedness Campaign. Home fires are the number one cause of disaster fatalities in the U.S. today, and the local campaign focuses on reducing the number of home fires in L.A.’s most vulnerable communities. 

The donation was made on Sat., Nov. 12, 2016 as part of the Hawthorne Home Fire Preparedness event. The gift is part of the LA Kings’ 50th anniversary celebration highlighting the club’s Forever 50 community initiative supporting 50 charitable acts throughout the Los Angeles area. 

In addition to the club's generous donation, LA Kings staff members and Bailey, the LA Kings mascot, joined Red Cross and community volunteers at the Hawthorne event and another campaign in Wilmington to install free smoke alarms and assist families in creating emergency escape plans.

“The LA Kings are very pleased to join the American Red Cross in supporting this important initiative to help reduce the number of home fires around the country and LA County,” said Kelly Cheesman, Chief Operating Officer for the LA Kings and AEG Sports. “All Kings fans’ should ensure their smoke alarms are working and develop a family escape plan.” 

Jarrett Barrios, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region CEO, applauds the LA Kings commitment to helping the Red Cross save lives. “Fire experts agree that having working smoke alarms in a home can increase the chances of surviving by 50 percent,” said Barrios. “We are grateful to the LA Kings for helping us deliver this important message and for giving back to the community where the franchise began in 1966.” 

Home Fire Preparedness events are part of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s PrepareSoCal Campaign, which focuses on the needs of individuals and families to prepare for disasters, small and large, and to promote community resiliency within the most vulnerable communities. 

The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year and most of these are home fires. The Campaign aims to reduce home fire deaths and injuries across the nation by 25 percent over the next five years. To date, the Red Cross Los Angeles Region has installed over 9,000 smoke alarms in vulnerable communities throughout the L.A. area. 

The Red Cross Los Angeles Region would like to thank Kidde for donating a total of 2,000 smoke alarms to the Red Cross Los Angeles since 2015. This generous donation is helping the Red Cross save lives in some of L.A.’s most vulnerable communities as part of a the Red Cross Home Fire Prevention Campaign. 

The Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness efforts aim to reduce home fire deaths and injuries across the nation by 25 percent over the next five years. On average home fires occur two to three times a day in the Los Angeles area. 

"Kidde is proud to work with the American Red Cross to install working smoke alarms and reduce fire-related fatalities here and across the country," said Chris Rovenstine, vice president of sales and marketing, Kidde. "Community programs like the Home Fire Campaign help to save lives from fire and smoke dangers and that meshes perfectly with Kidde's mission." 

On Oct. 17, Kidde announced that the national American Red Cross would receive a gift of more than 26,000 smoke alarms with sealed 10-year lithium batteries from Kidde valued at $500,000 to support the Home Fire Campaign. 

“Installing smoke alarms cuts the risk of someone dying from a home fire in half, so it's important for us to ensure families are safe from one of the nation's most preventable disasters—home fires," said Jarrett Barrios. "We're thankful for companies like Kidde as we work together to help protect people and their property from fires." 

The Ford Motor Company Fund joins a select group of Community Preparedness Table sponsors for the Red Cross’ Annual Red Tie event with a donation of $25,000.

The Ford Motor Company Fund has a long history and nationwide commitment to the American Red Cross as an Annual Disaster Giving Partner and supporter of Services to Armed Forces and Nurse Assistance programs. Ford is particularly proud to fund disaster preparedness workshops at hundreds of schools in Southern California that teach students the importance of creating emergency response plans with their families. In addition to funding these workshops, Ford also donated a Transit Connect Wagon that transports the ARC’s education team to each school.

"Ford is proud to be a national partner of the American Red Cross," said Pamela Alexander, director community development Ford Motor Company Fund. "Here in southern California we are especially honored to work with the Red Cross providing disaster preparation to youth and to sponsor this year's Red Tie gala. We salute the Red Cross and this year's honorees for all they do to strengthen our community."

Ford Motor Company Fund, along with Southern California Ford Dealers, has shown great dedication to building more resilient communities, which makes them a corporate hero. In addition to all this, they have again shown their compassion and generosity with a separate donation to assist victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

This March, during national American Red Cross Month, the Red Cross Los Angeles Region recognizes Curacao, a Los Angeles-based retail department store chain that is partnering with the Red Cross as part of its promise to reinvest back into the communities it serves. 

Curacao will sponsor a variety of interactive activities in each of its 11 store locations throughout Southern California and Arizona to educate the children of store shoppers about skills that can save lives in the event of home accidents or natural disasters. Parents who visit Curacao can drop off their children at store Kids Zones for supervised activities as they shop. 

“Safety preparedness is essential for every family and to be able to train the children of our customers is a fun opportunity,” says Ruth Garcia-Corrales, Curacao’s Community Affairs manager. “All kids under 12 will not only get this invaluable information but they will engage in activities that will teach them what to do.” 

Activities will vary week-to-week at each store location, from puppet shows and picture bingo (which test kids knowledge of safety preparedness around the house), to easy-to-remember disaster preparedness drills and coping skills. All activities will be led by Red Cross-trained volunteer Curacao associates or Red Cross volunteers and staff. 

Stephanie Pell, director Corporate Partnerships at Red Cross Los Angeles Region, says, “By training its employees and sponsoring these activities, Curacao is helping the Red Cross reach the youngest members of our community, who can then help their parents and others when a disaster occurs.”

Blood drives are also planned at each store location on select dates throughout the month, making blood donation as easy and accessible as a trip to the store (Check your local store for dates and times).

The retailer will also aid Red Cross in its mission to alleviate human pain and suffering by helping to raise funds at checkout stands, where customers can opt to purchase a Red Cross keychain. Customers can also elect to make monetary donations. All proceeds will benefit the Red Cross wherever the need is greatest. 

Curacao’s contributions to the Red Cross began years ago when the 2010 Haiti earthquake struck. The company responded by taking donations at check stands to put toward earthquake relief through ARC’s disaster relief fund. 

“From that moment on, we’ve been very active,” says Garcia-Corrales. “That way we can feel that we’re helping people recover from natural disasters.”

Pledge of ongoing support enables Red Cross to prepare for and respond to disasters

Today the American Red Cross is recognizing Big 5 Sporting Goods, headquartered in El Segundo, California, for supporting Red Cross Disaster Relief through their pledge to the Disaster Responder Program. Thanks to this donation in advance of disasters, the Red Cross is prepared to help meet the needs of people affected by disasters big and small, anytime and anywhere across the U.S.

Disaster Responder Program members pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters, powering the Red Cross with strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support to those in crisis. These donations keep the Red Cross ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice — offering a safe place to sleep, a hot meal, emotional support and resources to aid in recovery — while also helping prepare people and communities for disasters yet to come.

“Every day in the face of disasters, the generosity of Disaster Responder members like Big 5 Sporting Goods ensures the Red Cross can provide comfort and care to people in their darkest hours, ”said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “We are extremely grateful for these contributions before disasters strike because it enables us to respond to disasters immediately and compassionately, when help and hope are needed most.”

“Big 5 considers it an honor and a privilege to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief through our pledge to the Disaster Responder Program”, stated Rick Gridley, public affairs director at Big 5 Sporting Goods. “As a longtime contributor to Red Cross Disaster Relief we recognize the importance of ensuring the Red Cross is fully prepared to provide relief before, during and after disasters strike.”

From historic hurricanes to record-breaking wildfires and severe storms, Red Cross volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past year to provide food, emergency lodging and comfort to hundreds of thousands of people in need across the country. Disaster Responder members helped ensure the Red Cross had critical resources on hand — before these disasters struck — to immediately mobilize supplies, equipment and trained disaster workers where they were needed most. Contributions by Disaster Responder members have also enabled the Red Cross to adapt its services to help keep everyone safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

While large disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes typically draw national attention, each year, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters across the country — the majority of which are home fires. Generous donations from Disaster Responder members enable the Red Cross to provide services to people in need of assistance at no cost and regardless of income.

And thanks to Disaster Responder members, Red Cross volunteers are also helping communities become better prepared and more resilient, educating people nationwide about disaster preparedness and giving them the reassurance and confidence to face crises of all kinds.

This year, during National Preparedness Month (September 1 – 30), Big 5 Sporting Goods will initiate a chainwide fundraising campaign in support of Red Cross Disaster Relief.  All Big 5 stores will engage their customers to support Disaster Relief through donations collected at check out. 100% of all donations from the fundraising campaign will be designated to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Individuals can also help people affected by disasters big and small by making a gift directly to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations to Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters. Visit redcross.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS for more information.

About Big 5 Sporting Goods
Big 5 is a leading sporting goods retailer in western United States, operating 429 stores in 11 states. Big 5 provides a full-line product offering at compelling values including athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, as well as a broad selection of athletic equipment for team sports, fitness, camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, winter and summer recreation and roller sports.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Alcoa Fastening Systems and the Alcoa Foundation are strong supporters of the American Red Cross and its mission to provide relief to disaster victims and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

As a Red Cross Disaster Responder Member, Alcoa is part of an elite group of corporations nationwide that understand the critical role of pre-investment in disaster response so Red Cross volunteers can respond to disasters at a moment’s notice.

Additionally, Alcoa has been a generous and prominent supporter of the Los Angeles Region’s PrepareSoCal Campaign. Through financial contributions, blood donations, and numerous employee engagement activities, Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa Fastening Systems help the Red Cross assist those in need.

Alcoa is a National Disaster Responder Member at the $250,000 level, and here in Los Angeles, the Alcoa Fastening Systems’ support has included an additional $19,000 donation that helped launch Red Cross PrepareCarson.

The company has also hosted an American Red Cross Sesame Street puppet show for a local elementary school so that children can learn the important lesson of preparedness in a fun and non-threatening way. Additionally, it has held multiple “build-a-com¬fort-kit” parties where employees pack personal care necessities in Red Cross comfort kits that are distributed to homeless veterans.

Through all of these generous efforts, Alcoa has become an invaluable partner in helping to promote the mission of the American Red Cross to create lasting, positive change here in Los Angeles and in communities across the country.

NBC joins an array of corporate sponsors with a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross and takes center stage at the Red Tie Event, May 3. “The Voice” will be honored with the Crystal Cross Award at the annual gala. 

NBC brings the strongest vocalists from across the country to compete in the blockbuster vocal competition series “The Voice.” In its six seasons to date, “The Voice” has featured six of the biggest names in music, including Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera, Shakira and Usher to serve as celebrity musician coaches. Hosted by Santa Monica’s PrepareSantaMonica Honorary Chairman Carson Daly, the show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: the Blind Auditions, two rounds of Battles, the Playoffs, and finally, the Live Performance Shows. 

The show’s coaches have helped the Red Cross by using their talents and efforts to raise donations in support of Superstorm Sandy recovery and the tornados in Oklahoma. They have exploited their celebrity power to urge their fans on facebook and twitter to give, to text and give. They’ve donated their proceeds from concerts and recordings. They’ve made personal appearances on behalf of the Red Cross. At the Red Tie event, the producers and talent of “The Voice” will be recognized for their individual and personal commitment.

In 2013, “The Voice” received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. Additional accolades include a Critics’ Choice Award, People’s Choice Award and the Producers Guild of America Award.

“On behalf of NBC and ‘The Voice,’ we are so honored to receive the Crystal Cross Award from the Red Cross,” says Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We’re proud to sponsor this deserving organization which is always there in times of need for people in the United States and all over the world.”

“The Voice” is a presentation of Mark Burnett’s One Three Inc., Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who executive-produces along with Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers and Lee Metzger.

When Typhoon Haiyan tore through the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013 with devastating results, the employees at Cedars-Sinai quickly transformed shock and worry into action.

“Our employees are on the frontlines of healthcare delivery, so they are especially motivated to give in the face of disaster,” said Jonathan Schreiber, Cedars-Sinai’s Director of Community Engagement. “And, we know that giving to the Red Cross is a highly effective way to get funds where they are needed most in the aftermath of a disaster like Typhoon Haiyan.”

Many of the medical center’s employees have family and friends in the hardest-hit areas. Cedars-Sinai rapidly mobilized a major employee giving campaign, coordinated through the Red Cross Los Angeles Region. Together, the organizations were quickly able to establish a microsite for online collection which was put into place over the Veteran’s Day weekend.

“We recognized when Typhoon Haiyan hit with such destructive force that this crisis would especially motivate our healthcare team, many of whom have roots in the Philippines,” said Schreiber. “And, Cedars-Sinai knew that a group gift and coordinated effort to facilitate giving would be the best way to make a difference. There was an outpouring of emotion that led to a tremendous philanthropic response.”

The medical center’s employees gave more than $80,000 to support the Red Cross’ typhoon relief efforts. Cedars-Sinai initially committed to making a matching donation of up to $25,000, but the response from employees was so strong that the medical center was motivated to increase its match to $50,000. The resulting donation of nearly $140,000 proved one of the largest employee-based giving efforts in the nation, demonstrating that Cedars-Sinai’s employees’ commitment to healthcare extends far beyond their own walls. 

Cedars-Sinai’s contribution helped the Red Cross provide food, water, blankets, hygiene kits and other necessities for survivors of a typhoon that killed more than 6,000 people and caused damage affecting 16 million across the Visayas region of central Philippines.

“Cedars-Sinai functions as a family,” Schreiber says. “We are more than employees. When something impacts the world, we all respond together.”

In addition to its strong response to typhoon relief, Cedars-Sinai recently gave a $25,000 grant to PrepareSoCal, the Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s campaign to create a safer community.

Disney recognized National Preparedness Month in September by empowering kids and families to prepare for disasters and other emergencies. Disney is building on its long-standing relationship with the American Red Cross and is a proud member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program. This year, Disney provided a $1 million grant to support youth services and youth volunteer engagement programs, as well as disaster services in Los Angeles, CA; New York City, NY; Bristol, CT; New Orleans, LA ; Orlando, FL and Orange County, CA. 

Disney and Red Cross are spreading the word about the importance of being ready for emergencies as well as three easy steps everyone can take to prepare: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. 

Disney’s Friends for Change – a global initiative that inspires kids and families to take action and make a difference in their communities – developed an interstitial that aired on Disney Channel and the Friends for Change website. The spot, which features Disney Channel star and Friends for Change Ambassador Debby Ryan ("Jessie"), shows kids the easy steps to prepare for the unexpected. The spot also encourages kids to involve their community and friends in the process. 

To further teach children how to prepare for disasters, Disney is also supporting the Red Cross Pillowcase Preparedness Program, which is being piloted in the New Orleans and Los Angeles markets. The program aims to ease children’s fears about disasters and emergencies and the evacuations that are often necessary as a result of disaster. Children learn to pack their favorite items from home into a pillowcase for easy transport and parents learn ways to dispel their children’s concerns about evacuations.

Since the devastation in the South and Midwest this spring, the American Red Cross has been working non-stop to provide relief to those affected and support disaster operations. With the generous support of partners like Farmers Insurance, the Red Cross is able to continue to provide food, shelter, emotional support, and other assistance to disaster victims whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance and its parent company, Zurich Financial Services Group, made a contribution of $250,000 to the American Red Cross on behalf of PGA golfer Bubba Watson who won the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

These severe spring storms caused extensive destruction including significant infrastructure damage and major power outages. The American Red Cross was able to provide shelter, serve meals, supply comfort kits, and provide health services to thousands of survivors.

Red Cross L.A. Region CEO Paul Schulz (center) thanks Farmers Insurance CEO Bob Woudstra (left) and Mark Smith, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer of Farmers, for Farmers Insurance and Zurich Financial Services’ generous donation to the Red Cross for the spring storms disaster relief. 

In the weeks and months ahead, the Red Cross will continue to work closely with local partners to address needs and connect those affected to resources and services to get their lives back on track.

Bob Woudstra, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group Inc. said, “We’re proud to support the American Red Cross and its efforts in the areas devastated by the recent tornadoes and floods. As we worked to help our customers in the devastated areas of the South and Midwest, we saw firsthand the incredible good the Red Cross does. Working together we can help more people get through this tough time.”

Mark Smith, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer of Farmers Insurance Group Inc. added “Farmers and the American Red Cross share the mission of helping people affected by disasters. And with so many people affected in so many states, we wanted to join hands with the American Red Cross in their efforts of providing immediate relief.”

Farmers Insurance has been a generous donor to the American Red Cross for many years. Communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to achieve its mission.

- By Priyanka Banerjee, Communications and Marketing Volunteer

LOS ANGELES, March 18 — Today, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region partnered with Edison International, City of Rosemead, Tzu Chi, LA County Fire Department, CERT, KIIS-FM, Farmers Insurance, CERT, and AMR Ambulance to install over 300 free smoke alarms in 108 homes serving 611 residents in the City of Rosemead. Red Cross and trained local community volunteers who spoke Mandarin, Vietnamese, Spanish, Cantonese and English went door to door to install the smoke alarms and provide residents with critical home fire prevention information and earthquake preparedness to help get communities better prepared for emergencies.

“The City of Rosemead and our Emergency Preparedness Division is pleased to partner with the American Red Cross on the Home Fire Campaign to help reduce the number of fire related deaths and injuries in our community,” said Sandra Armenta, Mayor of the City of Rosemead. “The City realizes the vast majority of Red Cross responses are home fires and we place a priority on helping to keep our community members safe.” 

There is an alarming number of homes fires in the Los Angeles area as well as the United States. That is why the American Red Cross has launched a nationwide Home Fire Campaign, which aims to reduce the number of fire related injuries by 25 percent in the next 3 years. Last year, the Los Angeles region of the Red Cross installed over 8,100 free smoke alarms alone. 

“Home fires are extremely prominent in our community and can be devastating and deadly,” stated Veronica Garcia Davalos, Executive Director American Red Cross San Gabriel Pomona Valley. “We are recommending two easy steps to help protect their home and increase chances of surviving a fire: have working smoke alarms and create home fire escape plan.” 

Education is one of the best ways to help prevent home fires. With the assistance of Edison International, the founding sponsor for PrepareSoCal, along with other partners such as LA County Fire, Red Cross volunteers go door to door to ask residents if they can check their smoke alarms or install new 10-year alarms at no cost. Fire experts agree that people may have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out. Working smoke alarms can double someone’s chance of surviving a fire. 

The PrepareSoCal campaign is a multi-region campaign designed to address the needs of individuals and families to prepare for disasters, small and large, and to promote community resiliency within the most vulnerable communities. 

To learn more about the American Red Cross preparedness tips, visit preparesocal.org.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant in support of PrepareLA, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s three-year disaster preparedness campaign to help the Los Angeles community prepare, survive and recover from emergencies, it was announced today by Paul Schulz, CEO, American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region.

“Because of the generosity and dedication of the S.Mark Taper Foundation, the Red Cross is able to continue its mission to educate the community so that our neighbors will be able to protect themselves and their families when an emergency happens,” said Schulz. “Whether it is a wildfire, an earthquake or a flood, we all have the best chance of surviving and recovering if we make a plan, have a kit and are prepared.”

The S. Mark Taper Foundation, founded in 1989, is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in the community. The Foundation and the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region has had an enduring relationship, beginning in 1988. The Red Cross headquarters building in West Los Angeles is named after the Foundation due to their continued generosity.

“The S. Mark Taper Foundation is proud to be connected with the work of the American Red Cross to enhance the quality of life for Los Angeles County residents,” said Adrienne Wittenberg, grants director for the Foundation. “With PrepareLA, the Red Cross is conducting crucial outreach into our local communities – including those most vulnerable – to ensure they are prepared for emergencies. PrepareLA engages individuals and families in preparedness activities, trains disaster volunteers, and strengthens the capacity of the Red Cross to provide food and shelter following a disaster.” Ms. Wittenberg added, “This vital initiative is the first step in creating a culture of preparedness in Los Angeles that will lead to more resilient communities and will help save lives when a major catastrophe like Superstorm Sandy happens here.” 

For more information about the S. Mark Taper Foundation, please visit their website: http://www.smtfoundation.org. 

For more information about PrepareLA, please visit: www.PrepareSoCal.org.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has awarded a grant of $1,000,000 to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s disaster preparedness campaign to help the Los Angeles community prepare, survive and recover from emergencies, it was jointly announced by Paul Schulz, CEO, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region and Steven M. Hilton, Chair, President & CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The PrepareLA grant represents a two-year commitment to this major Red Cross initiative.

“We appreciate the generosity and support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in partnering with us to help our region prepare for and recover from disasters,” says Schulz. “The Hilton Foundation has long understood the need for preparedness as it has been their goal as well as ours. With their support, the Red Cross will continue its mission to educate the community, so that our neighbors will be able to protect themselves and their families when an emergency happens, whether it’s an earthquake, a wildfire, or a flood.”

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by the legendary international business pioneer who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world’s disadvantaged and vulnerable people. 

“The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has been supporting disaster relief and recovery programs across the United States and around the world since 1989,” says Steven M. Hilton. “In recent years our approach has evolved and we have deepened our work in disaster risk reduction as well as recovery efforts. We are honored to strengthen our partnership with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region and join them in taking this important next step in building their capacity to respond to a disaster and in readying our local communities. We hope that our $1 million commitment to PrepareLA will be catalytic in igniting the interest of other funders in supporting this vital effort.”

For more information about the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, please visit their website: www.hiltonfoundation.org.

For more information about disaster preparedness, please visit: www.PrepareSoCal.org.

Sunrider International, an award-winning manufacturer of natural products headquartered in Southern California, recently demonstrated its commitment to the well-being of people around the world by organizing a $70,000 donation to the American Red Cross, targeted to typhoon Haiyan relief. The monies were contributed by Sundrider’s global family of staff, authorized as well as independent business owners.

Jonathan Beutler, Sunrider’s International Public Affairs Advisor, said: “As a truly global operation, Sunrider International understands the importance of fulfilling its role as a responsible global corporate citizen, and our commitment to support important causes around the world is at the forefront of our work." 

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Tei-Fu Chen, named by Forbes Asia as one of that country’s leading philanthropists, Sunrider is a premier manufacturer of high-quality natural botanical products. The company has a presence in over 50 countries, including 8 manufacturing facilities and approximately 1,000 stores throughout the world. 

“All that the Red Cross has done to help out in the Philippines has been supported by our base of donors and by substantial contributions from companies and individuals that are new to the Red Cross family,” said Andrea Waldron, Chief Development Officer for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “It’s a tribute to our organization, that so many donors are finding us to be the most effective means to get help and resources where they are needed.”

The Health Net Foundation, a long-time supporter of the work that the American Red Cross does, recently made a donation of $66,000 to aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The total also included $16,000 given by Health Net associates.

Health Net’s Haiyan relief donation is the second of two major contributions totaling nearly $300,000 to support the efforts of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region since the relationship began in 2005. 

“We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region to help it deliver aid and disaster relief worldwide to those in need,” says Patricia Clarey, President of Health Net Foundation. 

Health Net, Inc. began its partnership with the Red Cross Los Angeles Region with a substantial contribution of $220,000 to support Katrina relief, which was also a combination of employee donations and a corporate match by the company. 

“Health Net was there for the Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina, and they’ve joined us again to help with Typhoon Haiyan relief,” says Andrea Waldron, the Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s Chief Development Officer. “It’s no surprise that people who spend their lives servicing health needs are especially responsive to tragedies such as the typhoon.” 

Health Net Inc., which is headquartered in Woodland Hills, is a major provider of health services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Their mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable, a mission echoed by the American Red Cross. Health Net administers its services to approximately 5.3 million people in the U.S., through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid, Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs.

Wedbush Securities has made a $21,000 donation to the American Red Cross to be used for Typhoon Haiyan relief in the Philippines. The gift came from colleague donations, WEDBUSHCares, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wedbush’s personal contribution.

Founded in 1955, Wedbush Securities is a leading financial services firm headquartered in Los Angeles that provides brokerage, clearing, investment banking, equity research and more, with over 100 offices and 1,000 colleagues nationwide.

“Typhoon Haiyan directly impacted many of our colleagues, and we wanted to show unified support as a firm,” said Edward Wedbush, Founder and President of Wedbush Securities. “Jean and I are proud to join Wedbush colleagues in their generous donations supporting those affected in the Philippines as they rebuild.”