When one of the most devastating natural disasters in our country’s history hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, Americans lined up to lend a helping hand or dollars to the efforts. Several of FLW Outdoors’ sponsors led by example in providing relief to those in need.
Wal-Mart led the charge with an initial donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross. Another $1 million was donated to the Salvation Army. When former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush started a relief campaign for the hurricane victims, Wal-Mart pledged another $15 million to get that fundraiser off the ground. Wal-Mart donated more than $170 million to charities in 2004.
Tyson has pledged as much as $1 million from its employees and matching contributions. It’s matching dollar-for-dollar what its employees donate. That’s on top of the truckloads of precooked and shelf-stable meats that it already is sending to the Gulf Coast. At one point, they had already provided more than 1 million meals to victims in need. Beyond that, they created a toll-free number – (800) 424-9675 – to help those who want to relocate and rebuild their lives elsewhere and to find opportunities for employment in Tyson processing centers.
Kellogg’s has donated more than $500,000 in products and money, including seven truckloads of food and supplies that headed south shortly after the disaster.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, has joined with its Japanese parent company, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., in providing assistance exceeding $500,000 in direct support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
To assist with relief efforts, Yamaha is:
• At the request of FEMA and local rescue agencies, providing products including boats, ATVs, generators, water pumps, outboard motors and personal watercraft for rescue and evacuation assistance. Additional products will be made available for relief efforts as necessary.
• Matching cash contributions by employees of Yamaha and its subsidiaries to the American Red Cross on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Pedigree has donated more than 10 truckloads of food, snack-food and pet-food products to agencies in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. They also donated to the American Humane Association’s emergency pet-relief efforts. They’ve worked closely with government offices in Louisiana and Mississippi to provide emergency donations to the staging areas established in those states. They continue to work with other state and federal agencies and animal-welfare organizations to continually assess the situation and respond.
Energizer has donated 90,000 flashlights and 200,000 batteries to rescue workers and victims of the disaster. In addition to the product donations, the Energizer Charitable Trust is making monetary donations and matching employee gifts made to organizations assisting in relief efforts.
The Land O’Lakes Foundation announced that it will match Land O’Lakes board, employee and Leadership Council donations to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Funds. The foundation will match donations, up to a total of $50,000, beginning immediately.
U.S. Bank has established a “Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund” for people who want to contribute to relief efforts in the aftermath.
Contributions can be made at any of U.S. Bank’s 2,383 locations, which can be found online at usbank.com or by calling (800) USBANKS. Current U.S. Bank customers can also make donations via phone by calling (800) USBANKS and speaking with a customer-service representative. All donations to the fund will be forwarded to the American Red Cross.
Other sponsors, anglers and fans are contributing to the efforts as well, and there are just too many to name them all. If you haven’t already, please go to redcross.org or the Salvation Army donation page to help those in need.
FLWOutdoors.com has also established a hurricane contact forum in hopes that it may serve as a way to connect those who want to help, who are looking for loved ones or who want to let others know they are OK.