DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2013-- DaVita®, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.(NYSE:DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, today announced that DaVita teammates provided 12,915 pairs of new shoes to children in 167 schools nationwide through a partnership with U.S. charity “Shoes That Fit.”

During the initiative, known as “Shoes-a-palooza,” DaVita teammates exceeded an original goal of providing 5,000 pairs of shoes that was set last November. Shoes That Fit, a Claremont, Calif.-based charity, identified schools in need and measured children’s shoe sizes.

“This was a great opportunity to give back to the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Rich Seebold, divisional vice president for DaVita. “At DaVita, we strive to improve the quality of life not only for our patients, but also for each other and those who live and work around us. It was inspirational to hear about all the lives that were touched.”

“You guys make kids so happy,” said one parent whose child received shoes. “I will follow your example and teach my son to be generous.”

With the help of Shoes That Fit, groups of DaVita teammates around the country created their own goals for purchasing and delivering shoes. In California, teammates in DaVita’s Pacific Gold division more than doubled their initial goal and delivered 1,219 pairs of shoes to two schools in Bakersfieldbecause of an unexpected need. At least 98 percent of students at both schools were on a free or reduced-cost meal program.

“At Shoes That Fit, we don’t just give shoes – we help kids build confidence,” said Lee Kane, program manager for Shoes That Fit. “We match people who want to help with schools in their communities that have kids in need. We were thrilled to see DaVita teammates so engaged, contributing almost 13,000 pairs!”

Shoes-a-palooza is DaVita’s first nationwide community service event – or “Village Service Day” – and received a 2013 Community Service Award from Communitas, an international effort to recognize exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources.

For more information about DaVita’s community engagement, visit www.DaVita.com/CommunityCare.

For more information about Shoes That Fit, visit www.shoesthatfit.org.

DaVita and DaVita HealthCare Partners are trademarks or registered trademarks of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of June 30, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,010 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 159,000 patients. The company also operated 48outpatient dialysis centers located in ten countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Source: DaVita

DaVita
David Gilles, 303-876-7497
david.gilles@davita.com