An astounding 83 percent of the company’s 3,000 employees participated in the 2011 workplace giving campaign. And corporate leaders are hoping for an even larger percentage by the end of this year’s campaign, which begins in May. Their goal for 2012 is to raise a whopping $1 million in support of their charities.

Employees can contribute directly to one of seven charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross. The designated non-profits are selected through a process that begins with employee suggestions. They must be national organizations, since the bank serves a number of cities throughout the country, and the charities must make a demonstrable impact on local communities.

Jennifer Nickerson, vice president of Community Relations for City National Bank, says the generosity of the employees reflects the corporate culture of the bank, where there is a definite familial feel and a desire to help others. She reports that the bank leadership leads by example and encourages friendly competition among the departments in terms of participation.

Most employees elect to contribute through payroll deduction, but employees can give one lump sum in any amount. The important thing is to give something.

“We are happy and proud to partner with the Red Cross during the campaign,” said Nickerson. “The Red Cross is an organization which helps everyone during times of disaster, whether it’s local, national or international.”

Red Cross L.A. Region Director of Corporations Stephanie Pell applauds the bank and its employees. “City National Bank demonstrates a ‘best practice’ company when it comes to employee giving, and we are grateful for their support and generosity.”

(From left) Red Cross Los Angeles Region CEO Paul Schulz, Edison International’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Janet Clayton and actress and Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet member Jamie Lee Curtis joined in announcing the launch of Prepare SoCal, a 3-year disaster preparedness campaign.

On Thursday, March 29, The American Red Cross and Edison International (NYSE: EIX) launched Prepare SoCal, a three-year public awareness campaign to help individuals and communities prepare for life-threatening disasters.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region CEO Paul Schulz, actress and Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet member Jamie Lee Curtis, and Edison International’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Janet Clayton joined in announcing the partnership. Every $1 invested in preparedness saves more than $4 in post-disaster response costs. Most Southern Californians acknowledge being unprepared for emergencies.

Founding partner Edison International’s $1.5 million contribution will enable Prepare SoCal to train up to 250,000 volunteers in first aid and CPR, along with 70,000 general volunteers to serve in American Red Cross shelters. Project goals include creating spaces in shelters to serve a half-million people and gearing up to serve 4 million meals a day. Among these trained American Red Cross volunteers would be hundreds of employees of Edison International and its subsidiaries, Southern California Edison and Edison Mission Group.

“We are grateful to Edison International for this essential support for preparedness, the most critical step in a community’s ability to recover from a disaster,” said Schulz. “With support from many individuals, organizations, businesses and government agencies, the goal of Prepare SoCal is to create more resilient communities that are better-equipped to help each other prevent, prepare for and respond to life-threatening disasters.”

Edison International’s gift came from shareholder funds and is not reflected in customer rates. In partnership with several local and regional California chapters of the American Red Cross, the company is sponsoring public preparedness training sessions and is distributing preparedness kits at dozens of community, school and public events. Programs and materials will be provided in several languages, with specific materials and events targeted at low-income and ethnic communities that traditionally are less prepared for emergencies.

“Our longtime collaboration with the American Red Cross is a complementary partnership that combines our respective resources, talents and deep concerns about keeping our communities safe,” said Clayton, Edison International’s senior vice president, corporate communications. “We don’t have control over natural disasters, but we can control our response to them and we can always be prepared.”

Prepare SoCal includes a multimedia public education campaign, the www.preparesocal.org website and social media outreach. Add @PrepareSoCal to your Twitter feed, and like www.facebook.com/preparesocal on Facebook for news and crucial safety information.

About Edison International’s Community Investment Program
Edison International (NYSE:EIX), through its subsidiaries, is a generator and distributor of electric power and an investor in infrastructure and energy assets, including renewable energy. Headquartered in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, and Edison Mission Group, a competitive power generation business.

Edison International brings its 126-year reputation for stewardship and integrity to its Community Investment program, comprising corporate and employee philanthropy of nearly $20 million annually, along with scholarships, matching gifts and employee volunteerism.

About American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
A volunteer-led humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Serving more than 85 cities in the Los Angeles region, the Red Cross provides relief for victims of house and apartment fires, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural or man-made disasters — 24 hours a day. Last year, the chapter trained more than 150,000 people in vital life-saving skills, including CPR and first aid. For more information, please visit www.RedCrossLA.org.