The Home Depot Foundation Continues Commitment to Fund Storm Relief and Recovery Efforts; Supports Red Cross Efforts through Disaster Giving Program
(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Atlanta, GA - August 29, 2011 - In the wake of the damage that Hurricane Irene has wrought on portions of the South, Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, The Home Depot® Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, today reactivated its $1 million Storm Relief Fund, which was originally established in April 2011 in response to this storm season's violent weather events.
The Foundation’s Storm Relief Fund is designed to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in areas hardest hit by natural disasters. The Home Depot Foundation will work with local Home Depot associates, nonprofit organizations and local government officials to assess the short- and long-term needs of hard hit communities and how best to deploy dollars and products. In addition to funding, Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force, has been mobilized locally to help with relief and recovery efforts.
To date this year, the Storm Relief Fund has provided donations totaling almost $400,000 to nonprofits that are assisting communities affected by severe spring weather in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The remaining $600,000 will be distributed to continue to help these communities, as well as those affected by Hurricane Irene and any other natural disasters that may occur during the remainder of the year. In addition, The Home Depot Foundation made a $1 million commitment to the Joplin, Missouri community due to the drastic and widespread devastation it suffered.
“The flood and wind damage that results from tornados, hurricanes and other violent storms can be devastating to individuals and communities, and our hearts and prayers go out to all who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “We are a part of these communities and it is our responsibility to help – not only with the immediate relief efforts, but with communities’ longer term rebuilding work as well.”
To ensure the American Red Cross is ready to respond immediately to natural disasters anywhere in the United States, The Home Depot Foundation makes an annual $500,000 contribution to the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program. In addition, in 2011, the Foundation has provided the Red Cross with an additional $250,000 due to increased storm activity and damage this year.
Separately, The Homer Fund, a charity for The Home Depot associates in need of emergency financial assistance, has begun helping associates and their families affected by these storms.
The Home Depot Foundation donates funds and volunteer hours to non-profit organizations to help make homes more affordable and comfortable through necessary repairs and modifications. In 2011, the Foundation announced a special focus on serving veterans with a three-year, $30 million initiative to address their critical housing needs.
Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.
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