This partnership turns otherwise unused goods into sustainable revenue that supports valuable programs, and also fund vital research to advance new therapies and find cures.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 13, 2013
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles today announced a partnership with Savers, Inc. — the national thrift store chain with more than 320 locations across North America — to support its helpline, educational programs, supportive services and advocacy work for people living with epilepsy in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura. This venture gives a new way for everyone to give and help millions of Americans living with epilepsy.
“This partnership turns otherwise unused goods into sustainable revenue that supports valuable programs, and also fund vital research to advance new therapies and find cures,” said Susan Pietsch-Escueta, MPH, Executive Director. “We appreciate Savers for helping to further the important work that we do.”
Epilepsy — a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures — can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. While it is estimated that 1 in 26 Americans will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime, current treatments for epilepsy do not work for more than 3 out of 10 children and adults diagnosed — leaving many Americans with no or inadequate control over their daily seizures and with the risk of further injury or fatality.
Contributions of gently used items are part of the simple, convenient, yet impactful way for the community to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. Savers’ partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation means Savers pays the Foundation for every donation of clothing, houseware, furniture and much more that is dropped off at a Savers store, put in a collection bin or picked up at homes.
“We’re honored to partner with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and look forward to supporting the vital work they do in the communities in which they serve,” said Tony Shumpert, vice president of supply chain initiatives for Savers, Inc. “This partnership offers an easy, yet valuable way the local community can support the Epilepsy Foundation beyond monetary donations or volunteer work.”
Savers was founded on the core principle of supporting local communities and has embraced that value by partnering with local nonprofit organizations since 1954. Over the past 10 years alone, Savers has paid its collective nonprofit partners more than $1.5 billion, including Epilepsy Foundation affiliates in Greater Chicago, Colorado, Minnesota, New England, New York, Missouri, Kansas, Arizona and Vacaville, Calif. More Savers locations will be rolling out partnerships with regional affiliates of the Epilepsy Foundation throughout 2013-14.
For more information about the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and our partnership with Savers, visit http://www.endepilepsy.org or call 1.310.670.2870.
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About Epilepsy
Without warning, seizures can happen to anyone at any age. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy. Seizures do not all look the same and, according to the International League Against Epilepsy, there are currently more than 25 different recognized epilepsy syndromes affecting almost 3 million people in the U.S. and about 65 million people worldwide. Someone is diagnosed with epilepsy every four minutes and, this year alone, almost 200,000 people in our country will be diagnosed. To date, there are no known cures.
About the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles
Established in 1957 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles is leading the fight to END EPILEPSY® and the burden of seizures. Our fundraising and community efforts support care, advocacy and education, today, while investing in research and hope for tomorrow. Visit us online at ENDEPILEPSY.org.
About Savers, Inc.
Savers, Inc. is a privately held for-profit global thrift retailer offering clothing and accessories for men, women and children and household goods under the Savers, Value Village, Village des Valeurs, Unique Thrift Store and Value Thrift Store brands. Through its unique business model of purchasing, reselling and recycling secondhand merchandise, the Savers family of thrift stores benefits more than 150 nonprofit organizations, gives local consumers a smart way to shop, and saves more than 600 million pounds of quality used goods from landfills each year. Savers, Inc. has paid more than $1.5 billion to its nonprofit partners over the last 10 years, turning otherwise unused items into sustainable funding that supports vital community programs and services. Savers, Inc. operates more than 320 locations and has nearly 19,000 employees in the United States, Canada and Australia. For more information, please visit savers.com.