Reforest California: Stater Bros. Supermarkets and Coca-Cola Raise Over $600,000 for State Parks

STATER BROS. SUPERMARKETS and  COCA-COLA RAISE OVER $600,000 
TO REFOREST WILDFIRE AREA AND PLANT ONE MILLION TREES

May 21, 2009 - The "Reforest California" campaign (www.reforestcalifornia.com) raised over $600,000 to replant more than 1 million trees in state parks recently burned by wildfires. A unique public-private partnership between California State Parks, Stater Bros. Supermarkets and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southern California, the campaign will plant native trees over the next four years at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park near San Diego and Chino Hills State Park in San Bernardino County.

"Wildfire has significantly impacted our natural resources in recent years but the Reforest California campaign - the largest reforestation project to date at state parks - will help replant damaged parklands and restore forest areas to healthy levels," said Mike Chrisman, Secretary for Natural Resources. "This caliber of stewardship would not be possible without the tremendous public-private partnership between parks, Coca-Cola, and Stater Bros." The campaign was funded by tax-deductible consumer and employee donations at Stater Bros.

The campaign wrapped up on May 21 with a dedication by Secretary Chrisman at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to dedicate 19,000 pine trees, which will be planted to honor the 19,000+ members of the Stater Bros. "Family" of employees who played a critical role in the campaign's success. Each employee will be recognized with a tree for their help in promoting the campaign at 166 Stater Bros. Supermarkets in Southern California.
 
Part of the contribution will fund fire-prevention educational signage at five California state parks -- Cuyamaca Rancho, Chino Hills, Silverwood Lake, Mount San Jacinto and Palomar Mountain.

With the slogan “Join the Million Tree Challenge,” the campaign challenged consumers and private businesses to participate and raise money towards the goal of creating 1,800 acres of newly planted trees.  It was estimated that this will result in seven million dollars in environmental savings each year due to energy conservation and reduced pollution. To support their local communities, shoppers at Stater Bros. Supermarkets had the opportunity to make a one-dollar tax-deductible donation to reforestation efforts at checkout or online at the Reforest California website:  www.reforestcalifornia.com
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“In light of the devastating losses California’s State parks have suffered in recent years from forest fires, this program is most welcomed,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks.  “Coca-Cola and Stater Bros. has handed us a crucial life-line at just the right time, and on behalf of the millions of visitors who love our parklands, we applaud this effort.”

The Reforest California campaign in Stater Bros. Supermarkets ran from April 8 through May 19, 2009.