Caring for our neighbors and the communities where our employees live and work is an important element of our charitable work. When disaster strikes the communities where we operate, people turn to us for help. Manmade and natural disasters can be devastating for our employees, neighbors, customers and consumers. We are committed to helping communities return to normal as soon as possible.

Disaster victims need essential items and assistance right away. The best way to help relief organizations help others is to ensure that emergency staff and volunteers are equipped and well prepared in advance of a crisis.

In 2007, we pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), to help fulfill basic human needs during times of disaster. As an ADGP member, Kimberly-Clark is committed to helping the Red Cross and their volunteers prepare communities for disaster and keep families safe.

Our contribution supported disaster relief efforts in Southern California by providing food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims of catastrophic wildfires.

K-C Peru donated four tons of our product to help people in areas of the south of the country devastated by an earthquake. The donations helped improve the health and hygiene of affected families.

United Way of America

The United Way is a network of more than 1,300 organizations trying to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. For decades, K-C and our employees have donated time and money to United Way organizations across the U.S. We match employee donations to the United Way dollar-for-dollar.

K-C is one of around 130 companies nationwide that are a part of United Way’s National Corporate Leadership group – companies that conduct campaigns in all their facilities across the U.S. and who raise $1 million or more. Last year, K-C employees raised $2.8 million for their local United Ways through workplace campaigns. K-C matched that dollar-for-dollar. Employees raised another $390,000 through fundraising events including golf tournaments and raffles. Our nationwide United Way contribution was almost $6 million (up $500,000 or 10 percent from 2006). Fifty-seven percent of our employees participated, compared with an industry average (according to United Way) of 42 percent.

YMCA of the USA

America’s 2,663 YMCAs serve over 20 million people each year, bringing communities together and uniting people of all ages, races, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. Since 2001, K-C has contributed more than $11 million to support the organization’s family and youth programs and its Activate America Initiative, which helps communities to lead healthier lives.

During 2007, K-C awarded Everyday Healthy Day Grants totaling $300,000 to 30 YMCAs nationwide. All YMCAs within 25 miles of a K-C facility were eligible to apply. The YMCAs will use the money to implement innovative health and wellness programs for children and families. For example, the YMCA in Wilmington, Delaware, is promoting physical activity, healthy food choices and tobacco prevention in its after-school programs. The YMCA in Lexington, North Carolina, plans to convert an under-used space into a new Youth Wellness Center with fitness equipment appropriate for children and staff qualified in youth fitness.

Colombianitos, Colombia

K-C Colombia sponsors the communities neighboring our Barbosa and Puerto Tejada plants through an alliance with Colombianitos, a local organization which keeps children away from violence through sports, music and dance.

The program benefits around 400 children near our Barbosa plant and 1,200 children in the area around our Puerto Tejada plant. Colombianitos also holds workshops with the children’s relatives and parents to discuss subjects related to K-C’s values, leadership and social investment in the region. On average we communicate to 400 parents every month.