American Red Cross Taps CSX to Return Sandy Response Trucks

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- When the American Red Cross needed to return the Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) used in Superstorm Sandy to home chapters across the country, the agency turned to CSX and other railroads for help.

"As it always does, the Red Cross provided a critical humanitarian service when Superstorm Sandy damaged thousands of homes and businesses throughout the East Coast and left millions of people without power," said Jack Vierling, CSX assistant vice president-car management. "We thank them for their terrific response and saw this as an opportunity to express our gratitude."

To prepare for the free movement on CSX of 119 ERVs, from which thousands of meals were handed out to victims of Sandy, the Red Cross staged the ERVs at a central point in New Jersey. From there, they were loaded into rail cars designed specially to transport them on CSX to their home states in the Southeast or Midwest, or to other railroads to take back to locations in the West.

"The American Red Cross is grateful for the unique and much-needed donation CSX provided," said Anna Trefethen, vice president, Southeast and Caribbean Division, American Red Cross. "The ERV is more than a truck – it's an iconic image that represents hope and comfort wherever it goes. Once these vehicles are returned to their homes, they continue to serve people in need."

This joint CSX-Red Cross effort is the latest in a five-year disaster relief partnership that builds on CSX's support of the Red Cross for more than 25 years. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, CSX matched employee donations to the Red Cross dollar-for-dollar.

The company also provided more than $1 million of support through Dignity U Wear, a program to supply new clothing to needy children and families, and worked with customers to reroute rail shipments of building materials to areas most in need. CSX also is moving substantial amounts of construction and demolition debris from the storm-impacted area to approved disposal sites.

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

SOURCE CSX

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