LOS ANGELES (AFX) - The focus on socially responsible businesses may take a
new turn in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as major corporations scramble to
offer aid and support, from water to free Internet and telephone services.
A slew of companies this week began pledging the millions of dollars in
assistance after Katrina crushed the Gulf Coast region, leaving cities like New
Orleans and Biloxi, Miss. devastated and thousands homeless.
"The outpouring has just been amazing," America Red Cross spokesman Joshua
Kittner said. So far, the relief agency has raised at least $71.6 million in
funds from both individual and corporate donors, he said.
In total, at least $93 million in donations had poured in to help pay for
relief efforts already during the first four days following the disaster, the
Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Thursday afternoon.
Kittner, of the Red Cross, was unable to immediately provide statistics
comparing current relief-effort donations to past disasters, but said the
outpouring in response to Katrina has been "quite substantial."
The corporate response was widespread, with companies from virtually every
corner of the corporate world -- from big oil firms to retailers to
pharmaceutical, technology and financial concerns - offering aid.
The list of donors is extensive and certain to continue growing.
Just some of the numerous companies opening their coffers to relief
organizations, like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and others, to aid
those hit by Katrina's devastation and some of their contributions include:
Abbott Laboratories has pledged $2 million in cash, as well as an initial $2
million in nutritional and medical products to aid those struck by Katrina.
A.G. Edwards, Inc. is donating $100,000 along with individual employee
contributions to support rescue, relief and recovery efforts.
Allstate Corp. is establishing a $1 million aid fund and will match
donations by its agents and staff with no limit.
Anheuser Busch Cos. and its wholesalers have shipped over 825,000 cans of
safe drinking water. It's also donating $250,000.
AztraZeneca PLC has pledged to provide $1 million in cash as well as free
medicine, while matching its employee contributions made by U.S. staff the Red
Cross.
Bayer Corp. has pledged $2 million in cash and product donations. Bayer is
also matching donations made by its U.S. staff.
BP PLC is donating $1 million and said it would match contributions to
disaster relief made by its employees.
Canon Inc. is donating $1 million outright and will match amounts donated by
employees.
Chevron Corp. said it would donate $3 million to the Red Cross, with a
further $2 million directly going to local charities and relief efforts near the
oil company's businesses in the affected areas. The Red Cross spokesman said
Chevron's donation marked its largest gift so far.
Cisco Systems Inc. expects to donate over $3 million through a $1 million
corporate contribution and employee matching.
Comcast Corp. is donating $10 million worth of advertising time and $50,000
cash. The cable company also plans to dedicate On-Demand programming during
September to air Red Cross updates, benefit concerts and other information
related to relief efforts.
Continental Airlines Inc. said it will donate 1,000 airline tickets to help
relocate residents of the region impacted by Katrina. The tickets will be
approved and arranged through a relief organization.
Dow Jones & Co. will donate $125,000 and match employee contributions up to
$375,000, in total a combined potential amount of $500,000. Dow Jones is the
publisher of The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch.
Exelon Corp. and its ComEd and PECO units committed $1 million by donating
$500,000 in cash and matching employee donations up to $250,000. The company is
also sending utility experts to the region to help power restoration efforts.
Exxon Mobil Corp. said it would contribute over $7 million to relief
efforts, $2 million of which will be given directly to the Red Cross. The
company will also donate things like fuel.
Freddie Mac pledged a donation of $10 million to help support the relief
efforts. Freddie Mac will match employee contributions and double the match for
donations to agencies providing shelter to Katrina's victims. Additionally, the
mortgage finance company has asked its mortgage servicers to extend payment
relief to borrowers in the affected areas whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
HCA Inc. said it would donate $1 million on top of the $1 million pledged
for relief to its employees in the region.
Home Depot will donate $1.5 million, it said.
Honeywell International Inc. has pledged up to $500,000, initially targeted
its employees affected by the disaster. Honeywell will also underwrite some
rebuilding projects.
Intel Corp. announced it would donate $1 million and will match employee
contributions made during September.
Kimberly-Clark Corp. said it would contribute $250,000 in cash and $350,000
worth of products for things like personal hygiene.
Liberty Media Corp.'s QVC shopping network has pledged to raise $3 million,
matching donated sales by its participating vendors over the next seven days.
QVC will also match employee donations.
Marathon Oil Corp. will contribute $1.5 million and will match contributions
by its staff to the Red Cross.
Microsoft Corp. has pledged an initial $1 million to help in the aid
efforts. The world's biggest software company has sent several leading
technology experts to help the Red Cross with technology needs. Microsoft will
also make available three buses equipped with technology like high-end satellite
equipment for use in remote areas.
Oracle Corp. will match contributions made by its U.S. staff to relief
efforts. It also pledged to help with any technical assistance related to
recovery and relief in the region.
Pfizer Inc. has committed $2 million in donations, along with medicine,
consumer and animal health products.
Royal Bank of Canada and its units have pledged $250,000, made up of a
$125,000 corporate gift and matching of individual donations up to a further
$125,000.
SBC Communications Inc. said it began deploying an extensive network of
communications services at the Houston Astrodome to help victims being relocated
from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. SBC plans to make available up to
1,000 telephones with free local and long distance calling, free wireless
service and computers for high-speed Internet access.
Sears Holdings Corp. will match customer donations up to $500,000 for a
potential total contribution of $1 million.
Toyota Motor Corp. and its subsidiaries will contribute $5 million. Toyota
Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services will assist finance and lease
customers affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Tyson Foods Inc. said it will donate up to $1 million in food and financial
aid. Tyson is also providing food and a mobile kitchen.
Unilever pledged more than $2.6 million to help the storm's victims with
personal care and food. The company also said it would donate $1 million in
cash.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it donated $1 million in cash to the American Red
Cross as well as $1 million to the Salvation Army. The world's biggest retailer
is also sending truckloads of water, batteries and emergency medical kits to
Baton Rouge, La. Wal-Mart is also accepting donations at all 3,800 of its
Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores and through its Web sites.
Walt Disney Co. will make a corporate donation of $2.5 million. Of Disney's
contribution, $1 million will go directly to the Red Cross, with $1 million
earmarked for rebuilding efforts aimed at children's charities and $500,000
going to volunteer centers.
Wells Fargo & Co. will match contributions from its employees, up to
$250,000 for a potential total of $1 million.
Individuals wishing to make donations have a list of charities from which to
choose.
This story was supplied by MarketWatch. For further information see
www.marketwatch.com.
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