|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
St. Louis Business & Technology News
www.slfp.com/SLFPBIZp.htm "When you think Saint Louis, think Saint Louis Front Page," a weekly publication covering the news and events in the greater St. Louis area. 
St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com 
|
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) August 31, 2005 - In response to requests from relief agencies following the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have now shipped more than 825,000 cans of safe drinking water to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Separately, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation announced that it is donating $250,000 to Red Cross relief efforts along the Gulf Coast. "Our sympathy goes out to all victims of Hurricane Katrina, and this donation will help those who have been most affected by the storm," said Patrick Stokes, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch Companies. "Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers are always among the first to lend a hand to help those in need get back on their feet." The Schnuck Family of St. Louis and Schnuck Markets, Inc. also announced plans to donate $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to the ongoing relief effort in the Gulf Coast. The donation will be handled in three parts: cash, in-kind donations and reimbursement of volunteer time. A $500,000 cash donation will be split equally between the Salvation Army and Red Cross relief efforts. An additional $250,000 will be provided in product donations (including transportation of the product), and $250,000 will be allotted for volunteer services. Eli Lilly and Company said that it will provide cash and medicines to assist in the recovery efforts underway in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The company will make a direct cash contribution of $1 million, and in addition will match dollar-for-dollar all contributions made by its U.S. employees to the American Red Cross. Lilly also will donate $1 million in insulin to those in need in the affected areas, and will assess the appropriateness of donations of other medicines as the specific needs become clearer. All of the company's product donations will be coordinated through Heart to Heart and the American Red Cross. "We have seen the pictures of devastation and we grieve for the victims of this disaster," said Sidney Taurel, Lilly's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Starting today, with these donations of cash and life- saving insulin, Lilly will do whatever we can to ease the suffering of survivors and help the affected communities rebuild." Kellogg Company has announced that it will provide more than $500,000 in cash and product donations to assist America's Second Harvest with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Seven truckloads of Kellogg product are en route, with more planned. In addition, Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund, the charitable arm of Kellogg, will make a monetary donation to America's Second Harvest to assist with distribution efforts. America's Second Harvest is working with the American Red Cross to distribute product in affected areas including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. "We are deeply concerned about those who are affected by this tragedy, some of whom are Kellogg employees and their families," said Tim Knowlton, vice president - corporate social responsibility. "We know that there is a lot of work ahead, and we hope that our donations will help during this difficult time." The Home Depot® and The Home Depot Foundation announced a direct cash donation of $1.5 million to support the relief and rebuilding efforts of areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The Home Depot will make a direct donation of $400,000 to emergency management organizations, including American Red Cross(R) and The Salvation Army, for immediate disaster relief and recovery. In addition, The Home Depot will make a direct donation of $600,000 to support long-term rebuilding efforts in the affected communities. This portion of the funding will go to a "Rebuilding Fund" established by the Corporation for National Community Service and Hands On Network. These organizations will re-grant funds to nonprofit organizations and manage volunteer-driven rebuilding projects for community facilities, such as schools, senior and community centers, and parks. The Home Depot will also encourage customers and associates to make financial contributions to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army relief efforts. The Home Depot Foundation will make a direct donation of $500,000 to nonprofit organizations that produce and rehabilitate affordable housing for low- to moderate-income homeowners to assist with the repair and rebuilding efforts. In addition, The Home Depot Foundation and The Home Depot will be working with its suppliers to donate additional materials, such as tarps, flashlights and bottled water, to emergency management organizations. "Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic natural disaster," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot. "The Home Depot has an extensive history of providing support to our communities as they recover from natural disasters." In the coming weeks and months, The Home Depot will transport and house thousands of associates to the Gulf states region to provide additional support to stores and communities affected by the hurricane. In addition, the company has identified six sites to stage temporary support centers to provide communities with additional reconstruction and disaster recovery materials. Grainger has pledged more than $1 million in cash and emergency supplies such as tarps, gloves, flashlights and batteries to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help communities and businesses recover following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The company also is encouraging its employees to contribute to the recovery efforts by providing a four-to-one match of employee gifts to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. "Our greatest concern is the health and safety of the people affected by the deadly hurricane," said Richard L. Keyser, Chairman and CEO, Grainger. "We have built a strong tradition and take great pride in helping communities and businesses in times of need. We help by quickly providing needed supplies and materials to help get their facilities back up and running." The Kroger Co. said it would accept donations from customers throughout the month of September to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Beginning this week, customer donations will be accepted at all of the Company's 3,300+ supermarkets, multi-department stores and convenience stores. All monies collected will be forwarded directly to the American Red Cross for relief efforts tied to the hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast earlier this week. Kroger also will offer its 289,000 associates a convenient way to help, and the company's foundations (The Kroger Co. Foundation, Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation, and The Fred Meyer Foundation) will match donations from Company associates up to a total of $300,000. "Our customers and associates have always responded generously to help those in need, particularly when disaster has struck our local communities," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger group vice president of corporate affairs. "Every contribution will help the Red Cross provide emergency assistance to the victims of this devastating storm." JPMorgan Chase & Co. said that the company and its employees will donate up to $3 million to help families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The company will donate $1 million to the American Red Cross specifically for Hurricane Katrina relief and will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million, for a potential total of $3 million. "It is heartbreaking to see the destruction caused by this hurricane," said William B. Harrison, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase. "Our $1 million donation, as well as our employee giving and the company's match, reflect our support for the daunting rebuilding job ahead." In addition, nearly 2,500 of the company's Chase and Bank One branches today began accepting cash and check donations to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. The company also is preparing a disaster-relief loan program for consumers and small businesses in South Louisiana, and will work individually with any customers affected by the hurricane. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is launching a plan to provide its employees in the affected Gulf Coast communities with much-needed emergency relief supplies and money in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Harrah's will continue providing its more than 6,000 employees from the casinos in Biloxi, Gulfport and New Orleans with their regularly scheduled base pay for up to 90 days. In addition, Harrah's announced the establishment of the Harrah's Employee Recovery Fund with an initial $1 million grant from the Harrah's Foundation. "Our main priority is for our employees to focus on taking care of themselves and their loved ones," said Gary Loveman, Harrah's Entertainment chairman, chief executive officer, and president. "To help them in the near-term as the Gulf Coast begins the recovery from this devastating hurricane, Harrah's will continue to provide base-pay to our employees for up to 90 days. "In addition to providing immediate relief, the Harrah's Employee Recovery Fund will help our employees with the long rebuilding task," he continued. "Along with the Harrah's Foundation grant to the recovery fund, we began distributing payroll deduction contribution forms to all of our nearly 100,000 Harrah's employees nationwide so they have the opportunity to pitch in and support the relief efforts. I'm asking all of Harrah's business partners to join us with their contributions to this important recovery fund." Chevron Corporation is making a commitment of $5 million to support recovery efforts in the communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. This includes a $3 million contribution to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and other affected areas following further analysis of the devastation. The remaining $2 million will go to local charities and relief efforts near Chevron businesses in affected states, as determined by the Company. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our employees and the communities affected by this disaster," said Dave O'Reilly, chairman and CEO of Chevron Corporation. "We are pleased to partner with the American Red Cross to provide aid and we will be evaluating opportunities to expand relief efforts near our businesses as we learn more about local needs." "We are extremely grateful for Chevron's swift response, generosity and compassion," said Marty Evans, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "The people of the Gulf Coast have a long and slow recovery ahead. Thanks to Chevron's help, the Red Cross will be able to get help to those who need it, for as long as it's needed." The Weather Channel Companies pledged that it would make a $1 million cash contribution to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief efforts. The Weather Channel is asking other companies within its industry to match, and if possible, exceed that donation in order to provide for the urgent needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the corporate contribution, Debora Wilson, president of The Weather Channel Companies, has noted that the network will also match, dollar for dollar, all contributions made by its own 800 employees. "Our biggest concern during these types of weather situations is how to best warn and prepare people; this is always foremost on our minds," said Wilson. "We know that millions count on us to provide them with the information they need to understand and cope with the effect of a storm such as Katrina. Humana Inc. said that The Humana Foundation will donate $1,000,000 to disaster relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, estimated to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, Humana Chief Executive Officer and Humana Foundation Chairman Michael B. McCallister said, "The damage sustained by the communities and citizens Humana serves in the Gulf Coast is beyond a disaster -- it is a terrible human tragedy. We are committed to help people in these areas recover as quickly as possible and pledge to them our ongoing support." The American Red Cross said it will mount its largest relief effort in history with a goal of raising $130 million for disaster relief for victims of the hurricane. Hurricane Katrina is estimated to have caused at least $25 billion in damage - exceeding the $21 billion (in 2005 dollars) that Hurricane Andrew caused in 1992. Hurricane Katrina has left 80 percent of New Orleans under water, caused at least 100 deaths and left more than one million people without electrical power or drinking water. The Red Cross is operating more than 250 shelters across seven states, providing a safe haven for nearly 42,000 evacuees - many who have been left homeless by Katrina. The first priority is meeting the urgent, critical needs of those people, which include providing emergency shelter, food and water. In a announcement, Amanda Lepof, an American Red Cross In-Kind Officer, said, "Making a financial gift to support the relief operations really is the best way for people to help after a disaster like this. The Red Cross is unable to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, blankets, and canned goods. Nor is it able to accept small, individual donations of these items. Monetary financial contributions enable the Red Cross to support the greatest needs in the most efficient manner. Cash can be used to purchase items in adjacent, staging areas and eliminate the added costs involved in transporting goods. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Return to St. Louis Front Page  
The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
