Press Releases

Kimberly-Clark Contributes $8.6 Million to YMCA DALLAS, January 11, 2002 --- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB), a leading global manufacturer of consumer products, and the YMCA of the USA, comprising America's largest charitable not-for-profit community service organizations, today announced a four-year alliance designed to help YMCAs better identify and meet the changing needs of today's families. 

Kimberly-Clark is providing $8.6 million to the Chicago-based YMCA of the USA. The donation marks the largest single contribution that Kimberly-Clark has ever made to a not-for-profit organization. 

In the next four years, Kimberly-Clark and the YMCA of the USA will help families through supporting a national identity campaign and national Web site enhancements, the funding of a report on the status of the American family, and providing 142 Family Super Grants of $10,000 each to YMCAs in Kimberly-Clark hometown communities. 

"For 150 years, YMCAs have been strong advocates for America's families, providing crucial support for millions of busy, hardworking parents," said Ken Gladish, Ph.D., national executive director, YMCA of the USA." Joining forces with a family-friendly corporation like Kimberly-Clark will allow us to reach more families than we ever thought possible." 

The $8.6 million dollar commitment will provide a number of benefits to YMCAs and families at the national and local level. Nationally, Kimberly-Clark and the YMCA of the USA plan to raise awareness of YMCAs and the family benefits they can offer through the funding of three key initiatives:
 

• National Identity Campaign - Public service announcements (PSAs), which feature YMCA alumni Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former senator and astronaut John Glenn, began airing in October 2001. PSAs are an ongoing priority for Kimberly-Clark to continue to raise awareness of the YMCA and will air nationally each year of the alliance. The PSAs are designed to educate families on the benefits and services the YMCA can bring and encourage families to join their local Y and enhance their quality of life.
• Web Enhancements - Modifications will be made to the YMCA of the USA's national Web site www.ymca.net, to provide an array of historical and program information to the public. The modifications will also enable more than 2,400 local YMCAs to maintain a presence on the national YMCA Web site.
• American Family Research - YMCA of the USA issues a bi-annual report on the status of the American family, which has received national acclaim and in previous years has drawn applause from national leaders, family advocacy agencies and the public. With support from Kimberly-Clark, the YMCA of the USA will issue the next report in the fall of 2002, defining the condition of and resources available to American families.

"Kimberly-Clark is a family-friendly company committed to providing products which help people live better lives. The YMCA mission - to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities - meshes perfectly with our corporate values and our products," said Wayne R. Sanders, chairman and chief executive officer of Kimberly-Clark. "Together, we can strengthen the core of the American family and make an investment in local communities through our support of innovative programs designed to meet the needs of today's families." 

In addition to funding the national initiatives, Kimberly-Clark continues to deliver on its long-standing commitment to support the communities where its employees work and live. Kimberly-Clark will provide 142 Family Super Grants of $10,000 each to YMCAs in hometown communities. The grants will be distributed by YMCA of the USA to local YMCAs demonstrating exceptional initiative in addressing family needs. Specifically, grants will be used to support innovative YMCA programs that unite family members in quality time together, encourage multigenerational family experiences, strengthen the YMCA's commitment to senior family members and provide financial assistance to families who otherwise would not be able to participate in YMCA programs or membership activities. 

About Kimberly-Clark 

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a leading consumer products company. Its global tissue, personal care and health care brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, Scott, Kimberly-Clark, Safeskin, Tecnol, Kimwipes and WypAll. Other brands well known outside the U.S. include Andrex, Scottex, Page, Popee and Kimbies. 

Kimberly-Clark also is a major producer of premium business, correspondence and technical papers. The company has manufacturing operations in 41 countries and sells its products in more than 150 countries. For more information about Kimberly-Clark, and to receive news releases via e-mail, visit the Kimberly-Clark web site at www.Kimberly-Clark.com. 

About YMCA of the USA 

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,434 YMCAs, collectively the largest community service organization and largest provider of childcare in the United States. Ys across the country are at the heart of community life, serving 17.9 million men, women, and children with programs designed to foster the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Ys are for people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes. Financial assistance is available for Y programs and membership. Visit www.ymca.net for more information.