Companies pitch in for a Harvey recovery
Around the country, the hardware and building supply industry is pitching in for Hurricane Harvey Relief, even as many of the same companies brace for Hurricane Irma. Business owners that have suffered through other natural disasters make particularly compelling arguments for lending a hand to those in need.
One such business is Ace Hardware of Gatlinburg. The store luckily escaped wildfires in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park nine months ago, while businesses across the street were devoured by flames. The company’s facebook post explains what the Tennessee store is doing for Harvey relief:
“Nine months ago … all of us were affected by the deadly wildfires that ravaged our little community. Although they are a much larger community, and it's a different tragedy, the people of Houston are now experiencing great loss. I'm sure their hearts are breaking just like ours were. Here's our chance to give back as a way of saying thanks for the out pouring of support that Gatlinburg received. HELP HOUSTON is Ace Hardware's effort to do just that. A special sku # has been set up to accept donations to the American Red Cross, Houston. Donations are tax deductible, just as you were sending it directly to the Red Cross. Rest assured, every dollar we collect will be sent to Houston via the American Red Cross. Please join us in giving them HOPE and letting them know that they aren't alone!#HelpHouston”
The news wires contain many other signs of good will towards Houston's recovery efforts, including the following:
• Meritage Homes Corporation, the homebuilder with a significant presence in Houston, announced that its foundation will donate $250,000 to aid disaster recovery efforts in Texas. The donation, comprised of $125,000 to the American Red Cross and $125,000 to the Rebuild Texas Fund, will help victims of Hurricane Harvey.
• Tamko Building Products, Inc. has proudly donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with their Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts in Houston and the surrounding area. Tamko presented the funds at the Joplin, Missouri Red Cross office on Sept. 6.
• On Sept. 5, Honeywell announced that it has donated about $2 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) to support first responders and emergency personnel in efforts to assist their communities following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
• On Sept. 15, Port Washington, NY-based PACOA will be loading a tractor trailer with much needed supplies to bring to Houston.
• Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Corp. presented a donation of $10,000 to the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana in support of the charitable organization’s ongoing Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
• Lowe’s announced a $500,000 contribution to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help the Red Cross provide food, emergency shelter, relief supplies and comfort to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Harvey and countless other crises. Lowe’s said it is working with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities.
• The Home Depot Foundation announced its commitment of $1 million to support Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts in Texas and Louisiana. Funds will be distributed to several nonprofit partners including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing and Team Rubicon to support both short-term relief and rebuilding needs.
(NOTE: Have you seen a relief effort worth publicizing? Let us know at [email protected].)