SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Safeway Inc., operator of Vons and Pavilions grocery stores, raised more than $1 million in support of people with disabilities at Easter Seals Southern California during its April charitable fundraising campaign.
At 265 stores throughout Southern California customers had the option at every check-out counter of making a contribution. The money raised will directly benefit people with disabilities at over 50 Easter Seals Southern California offices through job training and employment services, pre-school and after-school services, autism services, assistance for people to move out of institutions and into their own home, and services that help adults learn basic daily living and social skills. As a company, Safeway raised $6.5 million for Easter Seals affiliates nationwide. As a company, Safeway raised $6.5 million for Easter Seals affiliates nationwide.
“At Easter Seals Southern California we have seen first-hand the positive impact of our expanded employment services for people with disabilities. With focused effort in the last two years hundreds of people we support have achieved greater independence through securing paid jobs,†says Mark Whitley, chief executive officer of Easter Seals Southern California. “The difficult economic climate makes support from Vons essential for further growth in this area.â€
“Vons is a long-time supporter of Easter Seals and a proud employer of more than 10,000 associates with disabilities,†says Daymond Rice, Vons Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. “The hard work of our dedicated employees and the generosity of our customers will ensure the good work of Easter Seals continues in this challenging economy.â€
For more on Easter Seals and the Vons/Pavilions fundraising campaign, please contact Marianne Tomich at 323-330-0160.
About Vons, a Safeway Company www.Vons.com
Vons is a division of Safeway, Inc., a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on 2009 sales of $40.8 billion. Safeway operates 1,725 stores in the United States and western Canada, 290 of which are in southern California and southern Nevada that operate under the Vons and Pavilions banners. The company supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2009, donated more than $250 million to important causes such as cancer research, education and hunger relief.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals Southern California is a leading non-profit organization with more than 50 locations providing creative solutions to help thousands of adults and children living with autism and other disabilities find and keep employment, live in their own homes and not institutions, learn daily living and social skills most of us take for granted, and access pre-school and after-school services. Learn more about Easter Seals at www.SouthernCal.EasterSeals.com.
