DALLAS, Sept. 1, 2005 - Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) today announced a cash contribution of $250,000 and product donations worth nearly $350,000 to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As a leading employer in Mobile, Ala., with approximately 800 employees, Kimberly-Clark is directing $150,000 of the cash amount to the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to aid victims in Alabama and Mississippi, with the remaining $100,000 earmarked for relief efforts in New Orleans.
Kimberly-Clark, through its Consumer and Business-to-Business groups, is providing about $350,000 worth of product to residents in the region. Nearly $200,000 of personal hygiene products and commercial wipers are being delivered to AmeriCares, a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization assisting victims in the area. The products include
Huggies diapers and baby wipes, Pull-Ups training pants, Scott bathroom tissue and towels, and WypAll wipers.
To aid medical facilities in the region, Kimberly-Clark's Health Care business is providing about $150,000 of health care products, including Safeskin surgical and exam gloves, and
Kimberly-Clark brand surgical drapes and gowns and face masks.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the people of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana who suffered the wrath of Hurricane Katrina," said Thomas J. Falk, Kimberly-Clark chairman and chief executive officer. "All of us at Kimberly-Clark hope that our donations will provide some comfort and also reassure Katrina's victims that they are not facing this crisis alone."
Virginia Liles, chapter chairperson, Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, said: "We thank Kimberly-Clark for their quick response in providing aid to those in such need in Alabama and in the region. This contribution represents the latest support the company has provided to the Red Cross as it serves the victims of disasters."
"AmeriCares thanks Kimberly-Clark, as a valued partner, for its generous donations and for stepping forward immediately to assist with this relief effort," said Randy Weiss, manager of corporate relations at AmeriCares. "The products supplied will fulfill an instant need to survivors of the hurricane."
In addition, Kimberly-Clark, through its Foundation, will match dollar-for-dollar all employee contributions made to qualified disaster relief agencies.
The company has heard from all of its employees in Mobile and the surrounding areas and is thankful that there were no reports of injury or loss of life. The Mobile mill did not sustain any structural damage, and some operations were restarted on Wednesday of this week.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people--nearly a quarter of the world's population--trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest
K-C news and to learn more about the company's 133-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.