September 2025 Edition Learn more about our new XKIG website, our latest Kendall blog, the Trees & Utilities conference recap, along with who received a compliment and obtained their CDL! Have you checked out our new XKIG site? Here are some noteworthy sections: The XKIG Difference: Learn how XKIG keeps America’s critical infrastructure running—from coast to coast. This section showcases our commitment to safe, reliable, and resilient systems across the power and gas utility sectors. Disaster Restoration: See how our teams respond rapidly to storms and emergencies, helping communities recover by restoring power lines and clearing hazards with precision and care. Contact Us: Need to reach out? The Contact Us section makes it easy to connect with the right team across our companies. Follow Us on Social Media We’re building a vibrant online community—come join us! XKIG LinkedIn account: Stay informed on company news, industry insights, and career opportunities. Help us amplify our reach by liking, commenting, sharing, and reposting our updates—your engagement makes a difference! XKIG Facebook: Join the conversation, where we highlight community involvement, employee stories, and real-time updates from the field. It’s a great place to connect with our broader network and celebrate the impact of our work. XKIG Instagram: This is a behind-the-scenes look at our culture, teams, and milestones. From field photos to team celebrations, this is where we showcase the heart of XKIG. Got Something to Share? We’re always looking for great stories, photos, and wins to feature. Email your ideas to marketinghelp@xkig.com —we’d love to hear from you! Blogs: “The Calm in the Storm: Inside Kendall’s Emergency Response” Check out part two about how we respond to emergencies. Click here . Pictured L-R: David Fiebelkorn, David Allen, Joey Bidwell, James Fine, and Raymond McCowan Trees & Utilities Conference 2025 The Trees & Utilities Conference in Knoxville is in the books, and it was a great week for the Kendall crew! We had the chance to swap ideas, strengthen connections with clients, and meet some of the top folks in the industry. A big thank you to everyone who came and worked the booths. It was great to see so much interest in what we’re doing. We’re bringing home lots of energy and fresh ideas, and we can’t wait to keep building on that momentum. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the following six team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Gary Burfield, Stephen Hoeksema, and Landon Cain Class B: William Buntin, Andres Arreola, and Jarod Jackson We applaud these six employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our next training sessions will be held in Lexington, NC, on October 3-4, South Bend, IN, on October 17-18, Johnson City, TN, on October 31-November 1. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Compliments for the Crew A resident in Crossover, TN, called in to tell us what a great crew that we have working in his area. He stated they are very friendly. Compliments for the Crew Residents in St. James, MO, called in to tell us that the 2 crews that came to their house did an excellent job. They stated that they have 2 acres, and you can’t even tell the crew was there. They stated that Wayne Metroz and Trevor Runyan were amazing. Great job crew!! Compliments for the Crew Tammie D. called in to say she received great service from our crew. In their effort to clear tree limbs and other vegetation around the power lines, they were very professional and courteous. The supervisor, Shannon, explained the work to be done on my property and the debris clean-up. Tony and Jesus , in the bucket truck, organized the limbs they cut down into piles for easy removal. Stacy and his crew used the woodchipper to process the limbs, and they raked up the debris. Stacy remembered my request for a pile of wood chips. He brought them and deposited them where we discussed. Joe , the mower, did a great job of taking care of the underbrush and smaller wood debris. In all of it, the whole team did a fantastic job on my property. Compliments for the Crew Cathy G. from North Manchester, IN, wrote in to say our crew (Steven Traub, Andrew Bennet, Cole Cooper, Brendon Barnes, and Eric Long ) are very considerate, very kind, hard-working crew, very respectful, and just wanted to say the whole crew was excellent, and every one of them were hard workers. Compliments for the Crew A resident from Terry, MS, called in to thank Ignacio Sanchez and his crew (Eduardo Cornejo-sierra, Hilario M. Sanchez-Navarrete, and Gustavo Vargas Camacena ) for the hard work they have been doing. He stated the crew had been working nonstop in the Mississippi heat and whenever he drives by, they are always aware of their surroundings and are a great bunch! We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

December 2025 Edition Read about the new acquisition, resolutions, CDL obtainers, and more! Now Live: The XKIG Story The video “Who Is XKIG?” highlights the scope, expertise, and momentum behind our work nationwide. It shows how our teams respond during disasters, how safety and data-driven decisions are made in the field, and how recent growth is helping us become a full-service partner for utilities across the country. Watch now to see who we are, what we do, and how we’re building for the future. Welcome Timberline Clearing We’re excited to share that XKIG has acquired Timberline Clearing, a respected provider of right-of-way cutting and clearing services. This partnership expands our capabilities and strengthens our ability to serve utility, natural gas, electric, and railroad partners nationwide. Just as important, it brings a talented team with a strong reputation for safety, reliability, and quality into the XKIG family. We’re proud to welcome Timberline and look forward to growing together. See the story here . Partnering for Industry Progress: Utility Arborist Association (UAA) We maintain a longstanding partnership with UAA, a key leader in safety, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and innovation within the utility vegetation management sector. Our gold sponsorship enables both Xylem and Kendall to enhance industry collaboration and bolster workforce pipelines, while also supporting improved operational safety and long-term grid resilience. Read more about the value of our partnership here . New Year’s Resolution: Take Charge of Your Health with the Sydney App Downloading Anthem’s Sydney app helps you achieve your health goals with personalized tools to find care, track progress, access benefits, and get guidance. It supports all your health resolutions like fitness, stress management, and preventive care, making health management easier. Watch the video to see how Sydney helps you take charge of your health. Congrats to the November GF School Grads! We wrapped another great GF School session with the following 18 attendees: Codie Buckner, Michael George, Jeremy Taylor, Jeremy Nobles, Dalton Dunn, Franklin Hodges, Richard Brooks, Patrick Benson, Johnny Lang, Jr., Christopher Price, Rex Miller, Herbert Salmon, Harold Tuten, John Cosgrove, Mark Smith, Brian Schweinberg, Alex Williams, and Juan Ferrufino Benitez. Happy Holidays! As the year ends, we’re grateful for the commitment and care you bring to your work and to one another. May this holiday season bring you peace, joy, and time well spent with family and friends. Thank you for being part of our team, and best wishes for a wonderful New Year. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the following team members for obtaining their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Daniel Long, Mason Parrish, and Jacob Winkler Class B: Joseph James, James Sweat, and Anton Stewart We applaud these six employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications. Please note: We are postponing classes until the first of the year. All of our crews are working hard to finish their contracts by year's end, and we will focus on completing everyone’s skills evaluations and helping them obtain their CDL licenses. Compliments for the Crew "The crew, Kyle Knutson, Reese Hinkle, Will Lyons, and Eliza Fedorov , responded to a landslide that moved an alder tree 30–40 feet downslope, pushing it into secondary power lines and against the exterior wall of a home. The residents were extremely impressed with the work to safely remove the tree from their damaged house. Thank you for the professionalism, hard work, and dedication the crew brings every day." - Seattle, WA, Customer We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

January 2026 Edition Read a message from CEO Randolph Hoover, learn how to access your W-2, and hear about our upcoming employee app! My A Message from Randolph Hoover Happy New Year to the entire XKIG team! As we begin a new year, I want to thank each of you for the hard work, dedication, and pride you put into your jobs every day. Whether you’re in the field, yard, or office, your commitment to safety, service, and teamwork drives our success and keeps our communities powered and connected. Speaking of teamwork, we will send a separate announcement about our 4th Quarter MVV program once the winners are selected. Look for it in your inbox. Looking ahead, I’m excited to share an important update: the upcoming launch of MyXKIG, our new intranet app. This platform was designed with our field employees in mind and aims to make your workday easier. MyXKIG will act as a central hub for the information and resources you need — everything from work tools and company updates to pay details and key documents — all easily accessible. MyXKIG shows our commitment to offering you better tools, clearer communication, and easier access to what matters most. By bringing everything together in one place, we cut down on frustration, save time, and help you stay focused on doing your job safely and efficiently. We will provide more details soon on how to access and use MyXKIG, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of it once it launches. This is just one way we are investing in our people and continuing to build a stronger, more connected XKIG. Thank you again for everything you do. I wish you and your families a safe, successful, and rewarding year ahead. If you haven’t already, please like and follow our XKIG pages here: Machines That Power XKIG: Inside the Heavy Equipment Behind Safer, Smarter Right-of-Way Clearing Our newest blog, “Machines That Power XKIG: Inside the Heavy Equipment Behind Safer, Smarter Right-of-Way Clearing,” explores the powerful fleet supporting our industry-leading ROW operations. From high-horsepower grinders and chippers to versatile excavators, precision dozers, and reliable haul trucks, each piece of equipment is designed to improve safety, speed, and dependability in tough terrain while helping us reduce outage risks and better serve communities. It’s not just about having more machines; it’s about having the right machines to boost performance, increase efficiency, and deliver the consistent results our partners rely on every day. Read more here: Machines That Power XKIG: Inside the Heavy Equipment Behind Safer, Smarter Right-of-Way Clearing  | XKIG It's Tax Season Click here to learn more about accessing your W-2 from the UKG app. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training class in Knoxville, TN, and to the following 10 team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Roberto Gamez, Ryan Smith Class B: James Scott, Brandon Lewis, Abraham Anmdrades, Jarrod Powel, Cody Cray, Michael George, Jacob Bateman, Josiah Dunlap We applaud these 10 employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our next training sessions will be held in Johnson City, TN, on February 6-7, Suffolk, VA, on February 20-21, Macon, GA, on March 6-7, and Ludington, MI, on March 20-21. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Work Anniversaries Congratulations to all Xylem employees who celebrated milestone anniversaries this past quarter! Click the button below to see the employees who hit milestone anniversaries. View Now Compliments for the Crew “Thank you to Steve Hosaflook, Darcy Dellinger, Eddie Peters, Danny Spitler, and Mike Hosaflook for safely removing a tree that was very close to the power line. The work went smoothly, and it was clear the team knew exactly what they were doing. The cleanup was excellent — branches were removed, the wood was neatly stacked, and the area was left clean and tidy. We truly appreciate the extra care and would gladly recommend your services.” -Kimberly E. Compliments for the Crew “I want to offer sincere thanks and applause to Steve Hosaflook and his crew, Prophet Scott, Gabe Vermillion, Tom Hodges, and Mike Harrod , for the prompt and courteous removal of a long-dead maple tangled in power lines that had created unsafe conditions for motorists and pedestrians. The team arrived quickly, worked with great care, protected our property, and cleaned up every last twig, leaving only safety behind. I highly praise their professionalism, respect for the tree, and outstanding work. Thank you for providing us with the best!” - Mayor of Toms Brook, VA We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

February 2026 Edition Learn more about the 2025 4th quarter MVV winners, checkout our latest blog, and more! Mission Vision Values Employee Recognition Program Quarterly Award Winners Congratulations to our 4th Quarter winners! There is one field team member from each region, nominated by their Regional Manager, who exemplifies our core values. Stay tuned for the announcement of the four Annual Core Value Award Winners. Each will receive a $2,500 Visa gift card and be eligible for the 2025 Employee of the Year award: a brand-new pickup truck! Here are the winners! Core Value Trust: Timothy Frazier Kendall Region 3 "Timothy is trustworthy. He goes above and beyond everything he does seems to check out as he says." Core Value Transparency: Rusty Shannon Kendall Region 8 “Rusty exemplifies the core value of transparency. He is consistently communicative with every daily action, taking responsibility for the good and bad to the point of taking accountability for others on his crew, knowing the buck stops with him.” Core Value Respect: Kyle Ogle Kendall Region 2 “Kyle is well respected within his crew, he completes his work with efficiency and safety, he achieves all the goals that I set out with him on time. Kyle is also respected by the utility company, and it is obvious.” Core Value Unity: Tenton Cornelius Kendall Region 10 “Tenton has exemplified collaboration and leadership throughout his 17 months with us. He has successfully demonstrated to R10 and other regions how to share equipment, labor resources, and time to ensure customers across all areas receive exceptional service. His ability to foster unity and streamline resource allocation has had a significant positive impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.” It's Tax Season Click here to learn more about accessing your W-2 from the UKG app. Mentorship as Infrastructure: How XKIG is Scaling What Works Our newest blog, “Mentorship as Infrastructure: How XKIG is Scaling What Works,” shows why training and mentorship matter more than ever at XKIG. Across our companies, we focus on teaching safety, skills, and good decision-making to the next generation of field leaders. River City Construction’s Electrical Lineworker Career Development Program is a great example, combining classroom learning, hands-on field work, and daily mentorship through a four-year apprenticeship. This proven program helps strengthen safety, support hiring, and build a skilled workforce to serve utilities and communities for years to come. Read more here . January GF School is Complete! We wrapped another great GF School session with the following 13 attendees: Tyler Jenkins, James Fine, Chris Boykin, Andres Carbajal Gonzalez, Mario Womack, Tony Howard, Andy Brown, Phil McCarl, Rusty Shannon, Ryan McCulloch, Vincent Hotchkiss, Wayne Brittingham, and Roberto Alvarez Espinosa (XKIG). Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training class in Suffolk, VA, and to the following five team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Jason Shultz, Elizabeth Nash, and Steven Nash Class B: Dillion Mueller and Aiden Cowsert We applaud these employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our next training sessions will be held in Macon, GA, on March 6-7, and Ludington, MI, on March 20-21. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Compliments for the Crew “Your crew worked on my property in Fort Wayne today, clearing and trimming. They were professional, very hardworking, and respectful of my property. You couldn’t find a better crew. They worked extremely hard, and I wanted you to know how impressed I was.” Timothy A., Fort Wayne, IN Compliments for the Crew A customer called to let us know what a wonderful crew we have in La Porte, IN. He shared that the team came to his home and explained what they would be doing. He described them as very nice and polite, noted they had a large job ahead of them and knocked it out, and kept everything clean as they went. Joe C., La Porte, IN Compliments for the Crew Mr. Sunny N. called in to let us know he is an 82-year-old retired Naval officer. He stated it is hard for him to do things himself and has been working with Entergy for over four years to get his road cleaned up. When he spoke with Kenny Goodman and Manuel Hernandez , those two gentlemen came down and within hours had his road cleaned up. After serving in the military for so long he has no patience, but these two gentlemen were extremely polite and are extremely hard workers. He said [Kendall] is a great company. Sunny N., Hamburg, AR Compliments for the Crew Jackie and Henry called in and wanted to say what a great crew (Francisco Castaneda, Alexis Adorno, Miguel Navarrete, and Kevin Chavez ) we have. They said that the crew worked hard for two days cleaning up. Jackie said that her yard looked better after they left than before, and went to their homes and let them know what was being done. Extremely polite and friendly. Jackie and Henry, Oklahoma City, OK Compliments for the Crew “I was driving my school bus and stopped to check a tire. It was extremely low. I was at a Marathon Mkt. in Greeneville, TN. One of your workers and his partner in a pickup truck saw my problem. He came and put enough air in my tire to get my bus to the garage. I was so glad to find someone to help who had an air compressor on his truck. I had children, and he said he knew he needed to help. I'm so very thankful for him and his partner. His name is Keith McMaster . I didn't get the name of his fellow crew members, but I am grateful to him as well. Please commend them both for me. I will always be grateful for his assistance.” Patsy S., Greeneville, TN We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

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Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com New Voluntary Benefits: Enrollment is Now You have until this Friday, July 24, to elect two new voluntary benefits, effective August 1: Trustmark Life + Care® Insurance The need for long-term care (LTC) services can strain families, and protection against the rising costs of those services in the event of an accident, illness, or aging is essential. Trustmark Life + Care insurance provides affordable LTC coverage. It provides a long-term care benefit funded by permanent life insurance. Learn more here . Allstate Identity Protection Safeguard yourself and your family from evolving identity threats and scams with always-on protection. The enhanced 2026 identity protection features provide stronger security to help you and your family stay ahead of rising scams and identity fraud. Get 24/7 monitoring, advanced scam detection, and expert support for peace of mind. Check out the flyer here , en Español . You have until Saturday, August 8, to join: Credit Union Partner UECU, is offering an exclusive benefit for XKIG employees that open accounts with the credit union from July 22 - August 8. Become a member and enjoy: A $100 new member bonus A Kasasa Checking account with rewards Direct deposit or ACH Use this link to see how to qualify for this special offer. Congrats, Grand Adventurers! Our Grand Adventure Walking Challenge has officially ended. Thank you to everyone who laced up their shoes, logged their miles, and made healthy movement part of their daily routine. Whether you reached your personal goal or simply took more steps than usual, every mile was a step toward better health and wellness. Overall winners: 1st Place: Each participant earned a $200 gift card! Sole Winners Jefte Chirinos, Courtney Zobie, DiJonai Johnson, and Michelle Harris 2nd Place: Each participant earned a $100 gift card! Data Walks, AI Talks Swati Mishra, Rosa Collins, Marshall Pender, and Ella Gaughan 3rd Place: Each participant earned a $75 gift card! The Fleet Feet Miranda Tillett, Ashley Vargo, and Michelle Tillett Raffle Winners ($100 gift card each): Brenda Housley, Taylor-Rene Flemmings, and Nicole Andrewes Winners will receive an email soon with instructions on how to redeem their gift cards. July is UV Safety Awareness Month Now is the perfect time to protect your health whether you're on the job or enjoying time outdoors. Prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk of eye damage, skin cancer, and heat-related illness. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, seeking shade when possible, and staying hydrated are simple steps that can make a big difference. Take advantage of the resources available through your benefits. Visit EyeMed's EyeQ Resources for tips on protecting your vision and learn more about prescription safety eyewear options if they're part of your job. Boosting Your Benefits Earn Rewards for Taking Care of Your Health An additional reminder that you may be able to earn rewards while completing healthy activities throughout the year. Employees enrolled in the Health Savings Account (HSA) plan may be eligible to earn up to $125 per quarter for submitting proof of a physical through Wellworks. Follow this link for information on how to submit your proof of physical. In addition, Anthem members can access wellness incentives and rewards through the Sydney Health app. Follow these links to the Apple and Google stores to download the Sydney app. Four Pillars of Mental Health: Emotional Health Emotional health is a key part of overall mental wellbeing, along with the other three pillars: physical health, cognitive health, and social health. It shapes how you handle stress, relate to others, and respond to life’s ups and downs. When your emotional health is strong, you can understand your feelings and recover easily from difficult moments. Like a pillar that supports a building, emotional health helps keep the rest of your mental health steady and balanced. Read “Four Pillars of Mental Health: Emotional Health ” to learn more. Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support resources for ALL employees and their families, including counseling, mental health tools, and referrals. This is a free, confidential service, and you don’t need to be insured through the company to use it. Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP: Check out the flyer here , en Español . Anthem EAP: When you call, please state that you work for XKIG. More information can be found here, en Español . For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

Service Anniversaries Congratulations to all of those who celebrated a milestone anniversary this past quarter (April - June)! We appreciate your service! David Parrish Jeremy Santana Luis Pabey Roger Tolson Charles Lane Otis Claxton Jose Botello Wilford Reynolds Christian White Michael Anthony Woods Matthew Beaty Charles Ricker Nicholas Sherrill Wesley Jordan Dequavian Person Michael LaFollette Matthew Claxton Patrick Davis Omar Marrero Gerald Reilly Althea Palmer Sheldon Vanosdol Micheal Stinton David Ramirez Leslie Tomlinson Robert Hartsfield Jacob Ahu Dominic Watson Rolando Medina Jefte Chirinos Ashley Powell John Slover Michael Ruiz Gutierrez Noah Brannon Miguel Garcia Gonzalez Angel Garcia Gonzalez Ricky Smith Gerardo Herrera Isaac valenzuela Jose Ocegueda Levi Goswick Devon Walker Jordan Johnson Jason Henry Juan Martinez Gomez James Danzy Freddy Ochoa Castillo Michael Morelock Jack Hill Dustin Collins William Massey Roger Kelly Thomas McDonald Miciah Dick Bailey Martin Christopher King Celestino Solis Nuñez Todd Mcgaha Jared Stalcup Julliette Copeland Alberto Arroyo buenrostro Devonta Johnson Matthew Pfannebecker Thomas Henderson Edilson Daniel Efigenio Chavez John Fitterling Christopher Cruz Tapia Anna Jones Mario Fuentes Limatuj Brandon Bush Jarrett Dodson Caleb Stevens Brenden Lindenberg Charles Thompson Jacob Blair Brett Smith Dillon Mueller Scott Orton David Wilson Samuel Lindaman Tony Johnson Dakota Trivett Brandon Shelton Elizabeth Nash Anthony Moran Ramier Espinal Santana Jesica Quevedo Omar Corredor Jose Lopez Perez Javier Barajas Perez Taylor Mason Thomas Kruszynski Kareem Rogers Jeremy Cline Julio Torres We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@wakendall.com !

Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com Open Enrollment Starts October 20! It’s time to look at your benefits and make sure they still work for you and your family. From October 20-31, you can add, drop, or change your benefits online or by phone. Phone appointments fill up fast. Call 1-877-277-7476 or visit gotobenefits.info/Tree to schedule yours today. Don’t want to make any changes? Then you likely don’t need to participate! All benefits, with the exception of 1, will carry over into 2026. The only exception is if you have the 6500 HSA medical plan and you are contributing to your Health Savings Account, then you need to make a new election for 2026. If you don’t have the 6500 HSA medical plan, or have it but don’t want to contribute, then all will carry over in 2026 without participation. Please visit our Benefits site for more information on all things benefits. https://xkig.hrbenefits.net/ Exclusive Credit Union Perks for Our Team! We’ve partnered with Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) to give all employees special banking benefits! Open a checking account or Visa® Power Card™ and get a $25 gift card, plus enjoy perks like no monthly fees, ATM fee refunds, and great loan rates. You can even earn rewards and get up to 0.5% off your loan rate with certain accounts. It’s easy to join and start saving—visit uecu.org/lisa or call 800-288-6423 ext. 7502 for more details. Don’t forget to mention this flyer (Spanish version here ) to get an extra $10 gift card when you open an account! Preventive Dental Care for all ages and people Dental health isn’t just about having a sparkling smile. It plays a big role in your whole health. That's why preventive dental care—which includes going to the dentist and practicing health habits at home—is key. Why dental health matters at every life stage. Our mouths are full of bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, when we don’t practice good dental hygiene, bacteria can spread to other parts of the body and cause illness or disease. Issues such as tooth loss and cavities can also affect our self-esteem and make everyday activities, including eating and speaking, more difficult. What is preventive dental care? Health habits checklist: Have regular dental checkups Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush Floss daily Limit sugary foods and drinks Don't smoke or use tobacco products To learn more about preventive dental care and how to find a dentist, click here . Stress Awareness Week: Take Time for You! Stress is a normal part of life, but managing it in healthy ways makes a big difference. During Stress Awareness Week next month, take a few moments each day to focus on your well-being. Try simple things like taking a walk outside, practicing deep breathing, or unplugging from your phone for a bit. Staying active, getting enough sleep, and talking to someone you trust can also help lower stress levels. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your body. Small steps can lead to big changes! Our two EAP options are available 24/7 and can help you manage your stress levels. See below. Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP: Check out the flyer here . Spanish version here . Anthem EAP: When you call, say you work for XKIG . More information can be found here . Spanish version here . October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month This month, we’re reminding everyone to take charge of their health! Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women and affects one in 100 men . It’s easier to treat when it’s found early, so if you’re due for a mammogram, now is a great time to schedule one. Many health plans (like our Anthem plan) cover mammograms and other preventive checkups—like annual physicals and screenings—at no cost to you. Staying on top of your preventive care helps catch problems early and keeps you feeling your best. Take a moment this month to schedule any screenings or exams you may have missed—it could make all the difference! Boosting Your Benefits Join the “Health Is Wealth” Walking Challenge! Let’s get moving! The Health Is Wealth Walking Challenge runs from November 3 to December 12 and is a fun way to boost your activity and stay healthy as the holiday season begins. Start by walking 5,000 steps a day and work your way up to 6,000 steps a day by the end of the challenge. Track your progress in the Wellworks for You portal or mobile app. Details on how to sign up will be shared soon. Remember, consistency is key! Every step you take is an investment in your health and well-being. Click here to learn more. Get Your Annual Physical – Earn Rewards! Your health matters! Schedule your annual physical by December 1 to take care of yourself and earn rewards. If you’re enrolled in the Anthem 6500 HSA plan, completing your physical and submitting the form through Wellworks for You can earn you a $125 deposit for Quarter 4—and up to $500 a year! Click here on how to submit your physical. Plus, Anthem members can earn even more rewards through the Sydney Health app for completing preventive care like mammograms, flu shots, and other wellness checkups. Don’t wait—book your physical today to stay healthy and earn your incentives! Click here for more info. Spanish version is here . For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net