Safeway raises disability awareness

PLEASANTON, Calif. Safeway is raising awareness for people living with disabilities. In a month-long campaign through a partnership with Easter Seals and Special Olympics, the company announced it will raise millions of dollars this year to fund critical regional rehabilitation services and autism programs, provide job training grants, and adopt athletes so they can participate in Special Olympics games throughout the country.

"Helping people with disabilities has become a passion for Safeway, our employees and our customers," said Safeway chairman, president and ceo Steve Burd. "Our partnerships with Easter Seals and Special Olympics will bring more awareness to this important issue and provide opportunities for people with disabilities through these innovative programs."

Each year Safeway dedicates April and August to bringing awareness to helping people with disabilities by raising funds at the more than 1,700 Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick's, Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Genuardi's stores in the United States and Canada.

This year Safeway will use the funds raised in April to fund community disability centers operated by Easter Seals that are located in communities where Safeway operates stores. These facilities provide rehabilitation, training and autism services to people with disabilities.

"We are excited about this year's campaign and our ability to reach millions of customers about such an important issue," said Safeway Executive Vice President and Safeway Foundation Chair Larree Renda. "These partnerships with Easter Seals and Special Olympics will help Safeway touch the lives of so many people who live with a disability and we are so proud to make such a positive difference."