LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is proud to take part in this year's
United Way HomeWalk to help raise money and awareness to end
homelessness in Los Angeles
County. It will be a sea of SoCalGas blue t-shirts as more
than 800 "Team SoCalGas" participants take part in the 5K Fun
Run/Walk on Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. at Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park
Dr., Los Angeles. Team SoCalGas
has also raised more than $100,000 in
donations to help provide permanent supportive housing for ending
homelessness.
This is the ninth year SoCalGas employees, along with their
family and friends, have supported HomeWalk and the third year in a
row that Team SoCalGas has had more walkers and runners than any
other team at HomeWalk. Los Angeles
County is considered the "Homeless Capitol of the World,"
where 1.7 million people live below the poverty line and 44,359
individuals are homeless with 4,362 being veterans. Over the past
eight years, 63,000 walkers have come together to raise more than
$5 million with 100 percent of the
proceeds from HomeWalk going back into the community and housing
15,900 people since its inception.
"I'm so proud of our employees and their commitment this year
and every year we've taken part," said Dennis Arriola, president and CEO of SoCalGas
who also serves on the board of directors for United Way of
Greater Los Angeles and is the
Executive Champion for Team SoCalGas. "Through HomeWalk, we make a
significant difference in eradicating homelessness. Our employees
see it in their daily activities and many have first-hand knowledge
of the homeless in their communities. I'd also like to thank many
of our vendors and suppliers who donated to Team SoCalGas. In fact,
some of those folks will be walking with us tomorrow."
"We are so amazed and inspired by Team SoCalGas' efforts and
support to help our most vulnerable neighbors," said Elise Buik, president and chief executive
officer of United Way of Los
Angeles. "By partnering with companies such as SoCalGas who
are deeply committed to the community, we'll reach United Way's
core mission to create pathways out of poverty for all in
Los Angeles County by eradicating
homelessness."
Team SoCalGas will also be the umbrella team for "Team Semper
Fi-SoCalGas." Sergio Jimenez, a
SoCalGas employee and retired Marine Corps veteran, created this
team to rally support from his friends and family for HomeWalk
2015, after seeing the homeless problem every day on his commute to
work.
"The team is composed of Marine veterans who have fought in the
Gulf War, and Iraq/Afghanistan campaigns, family members, and
average Americans who believe it is unacceptable for even one
veteran to be homeless in Los
Angeles, and in any city in the most prosperous and generous
country on earth," said Jimenez.
Additionally, Beastin Beauties, a fitness studio in El Monte committed to motivating women to
reach their health and fitness goals in the San Gabriel Valley and
neighboring cities, is also part of Team SoCalGas and will lead the
opening HomeWalk program with the warm-up.
"I am proud to have led the efforts for two of Team SoCalGas'
largest events, including this year's HomeWalk and the Special
Olympics World Games this past summer, where we had over 1,900
'Fans in the Stands' at the Galen Center," added Claudia Andrade, community relations manager and
Team SoCalGas lead. "We will have the Explosive All Star Team
Dazzle, a local Special Olympics girls' cheer team, join us at
HomeWalk to help bring back memories from that special day. I am
passionate about the work we do to help better the communities
where we work and live."
About HomeWalk
HomeWalk is the United Way of
Greater Los Angeles' signature 5K
walk/fun run that mobilizes thousands of people to raise awareness
and funds to end homelessness in Los
Angeles County. Over the past eight years, 63,000 walkers
have come together to raise more than $5
million. 100% of the proceeds from HomeWalk go back into the
community, housing 15,900 people since its inception. To learn more
go to Homewalk.unitedwayla.org
About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California
Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to
its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest
natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.4 million
consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500
communities. The company's service territory encompasses
approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and
Southern California, from
Visalia to the Mexican border.
Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of sempra.com
(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.