Waste Management - Keeping Hawaii Clean

Waianae, Hawaii, Jan. 15, 2007 - Waste Management of Hawaii announced today it has donated a total of $20,000 to help the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) build a new facility that will enhance the Center's capacity to meet the healthcare needs of the growing local community.

The money will be used toward the construction of a 26,000-square foot family medical building that will serve Waianae and surrounding communities on the west side of the island of Oahu. Currently, there is a severe shortage of clinic space needed to perform basic family medicine functions for patients.

"At Waste Management, we are committed to the health and safety of our customers and we are happy that we could help the Health Center as it expands to meet the needs of the local community," said Russell Nanod, Community Affairs Manager for Waste Management of Hawaii.

The donation was awarded in two installments of $10,000 each. The first donation was given at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center's "A Tribute to the Spirit of Community" fundraising event in October. The other $10,000 was recently awarded to further help the Health Center in serving local residents.

WCCHC provides a much-need service to a segment of the population who otherwise would not be able to afford proper health care. In 2005, the Health Center served approximately 25,000 individuals who generated 137,000 clinical visits. In addition, its emergency room is one of the most heavily utilized on Oahu.

According to Richard Bettini, Chief Executive Officer of WCCHC, the Health Center is the largest provider of primary healthcare to predominately low-income residents in West Oahu. "We are able to sustain our mission of providing vital health services to needy children and families because of community-oriented corporations like Waste Management, who have chosen to invest in the Health Center's mission," he said. "We are deeply grateful to Waste Management for its generous and continued support and for recognizing the critical role healthcare plays in increasing the health of the community."

Waste Management is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. For more information about how we think green, log onto www.wm.com.

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