As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support communities across California during the pandemic, SoCalGas recently donated 1.7 million surgical masks for healthcare workers at six local hospitals and health providers in four counties.
When the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, SoCalGas procured masks to protect the safety of employees who would continue to work in the field and inside customers’ homes. Nearly two years later, SoCalGas has purchased over 2.7 million masks.
In response to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, California officials have reinstated an indoor mask mandate to help slow the spread. “Throughout this pandemic, we’ve coordinated closely with public health officials to make sure our employees have the right equipment to keep our workforce and the customers we serve safe,” said Ralf Balzer, inventory and logistics manager for SoCalGas. “We’ve heard a lot about how medical-grade masks are more important than ever in stopping the spread of the most recent variant and we’re thrilled to be in a position to help front line workers get through this latest wave as safely as possible.”
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this incredibly generous donation to Mercy Hospitals by the Southern California Gas Company,” said Bruce Peters, President of Mercy Hospitals. “Their generosity will help us cope with the ongoing pandemic to protect our patients and staff as well as help with our outreach programs that we continue to provide to our community.”
Gabriel Ortiz with Facilities Management at Inland Regional Center said “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the delivery yesterday. This cache of PPE sure helps us and the community we serve. You are truly appreciated!”
The medical-grade face masks were distributed to Adventist Health in Delano, Dignity Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield, Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, Adventist Health White Memorial in East Los Angeles, and AltaMed Health Services. Each facility is receiving between 100,000 to 380,000 masks, based on need.
(Pictured above, left to right: SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager Rob Duchow with Bruce Peters, President of Mercy Hospitals Bakersfield, and Toni Harper, VP of Philanthropy with Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield. Right: SoCalGas Sr. Public Affairs Manager Kristine Scott.)
