Waste Management announced today that they are donating more than $125,000 to the city of Kirkland to support local community programs and events that educate, inspire and entertain Kirkland families. The company has a goal of helping communities become more sustainable.

Waste Management will contribute more than $30,000 annually over the next four years to support Kirkland Summer Concerts, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, and Winterfest Holiday Tree Lighting events.

“Making communities better and more sustainable has been a longstanding commitment of Waste Management,” said Mary Evans, area director of public sector services for Waste Management. “We are proud to formalize our longstanding partnership with the city of Kirkland by becoming the major sponsor for these three community events. The city and Waste Management have worked together for years, successfully increasing diversion and recycling rates.”

In the last few years, Kirkland, like many communities, has had to carefully consider community events in light of reduced public resources. Recently, organizers of the Kirkland Summer Concert series announced a shortfall in their fundraising goal for 2014. Increasingly, communities are relying on the private sector for sponsorships.

“We are absolutely thrilled with this news, and it will certainly help to ease the burden of our fundraising efforts,” said Kirkland Summer Concert series organizer Julie Metteer. “While we know these funds won’t necessarily be divided up equally between these three beloved events – we are hoping for a minimum of half of the $15,000 deficit we still have to go.”

Metteer said, to her knowledge, the Waste Management donation was an “unprecedented gift” and she looks forward to having them as the concert series’ premier sponsor.

“We believe creating sustainable environments and sustainable communities go hand in hand,” said Evans.

The funding from Waste Management is coming at an opportune time for the city of Kirkland. With Waste Management’s much needed support, Kirkland can continue providing free special events for the community.

“Waste Management is stepping up to provide stable financial support for our local programs and events that truly shows what a valuable community partner they are,” said Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen. “Kirkland is a special place to live, and our events are an important part of our close-knit community. It feels so good to have a corporate partner that we can rely on.”

Waste Management has served the city of Kirkland for over 40 years and their regional headquarter is in downtown Kirkland, across from the main post office.

More information about Kirkland events can be found here.