Red Cross Gives Thanks to Corporate Partners for Supporting 2017 Disaster Relief Efforts

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Nov 22, 2017, 09:29 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following an unrelenting wave of disasters affecting millions across the U.S. and the Caribbean, the American Red Cross is recognizing some of its largest corporate partners whose generous contributions ensured the organization could provide comfort and support when it was needed most.

Starting in late August, the Red Cross launched wide-ranging relief efforts to help people devastated by three historic back-to-back hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—followed closely by the deadliest week of wildfires in California history, which burned more than 218,000 acres, destroying some 8,900 structures including thousands of homes. In addition, Mexico City experienced a deadly 7.1 magnitude earthquake and the Red Cross worked closely with the Mexican Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid and assistance. The response and recovery efforts for these disasters was far too large for just one organization and required time and support from many community, government and corporate partners at every step to provide help to families in need.

"The Red Cross continues recovery efforts to help people impacted by the historic devastation left in the wake of three major hurricanes and the wildfires in California," said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "The generous support of Amazon, Costco, Telemundo, The Walt Disney Company, Univision, Walgreens and Walmart—along with their customers and employees—enabled the Red Cross to respond quickly with food, shelter, emergency relief supplies, and allows our organization to remain in these communities for months to come to help people as they work to recover from these disasters. Thank you for directly helping disaster victims by supporting the Red Cross."

For Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, generous donations from corporate partners allowed the Red Cross to work alongside community and government partners to deliver more than 1.3 million overnight shelter stays, serve more than 11.4 million meals and snacks, and distribute more than 6.2 million relief and cleanup items to help hurricane survivors get back on their feet.

The Red Cross thanks the following partners for going above and beyond to ensure people in need received immediate relief and ongoing support as they begin the road to recovery.

Amazon
Amazon and Amazon customers supported relief operations for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and the Mexico earthquakes with more than $6 million in financial donations and essential supplies through the Red Cross Wish List. Amazon in-kind support also included two humanitarian aid flights through Prime Air to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Costco
Costco Wholesale joined Costco members and employees in supporting relief operations for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Telemundo
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises partnered with the Red Cross to help those who were affected by the recent hurricanes and the earthquakes in Mexico. NBCUniversal Telemundo leveraged its network shows, news, on-air talent and employees to provide resources, funds and critical information to those in need, and is committed to continuing its advocacy as impacted communities work to rebuild in the aftermath of disaster.

The Walt Disney Company
In the wake of an unprecedented string of natural disasters including three of the most devastating hurricanes to impact the U.S. and its territories, The Walt Disney Company helped mobilize over $16 million in cash to the Red Cross through direct giving and a Disney | ABC Television Group and ESPN Day of Giving effort to encourage viewer donations. Additionally, Disney VoluntEARS shared their magic and assisted shelters and communities impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Disney is an Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) member, with funds prepositioned to ensure that the Red Cross is ready to mobilize and prepared to help at the earliest moments of response.

Disney's many efforts continue to bring comfort to colleagues, friends and neighbors who are rebuilding from hurricanes in the Caribbean and U.S., earthquakes in Mexico and wildfires in California.

Univision
Univision Communications Inc. raised millions of dollars for disaster relief to help those affected by the natural disasters of 2017. Univision's broadcast and digital platforms, producers and talent were mobilized to unite audiences in solidarity and help bring resources to the affected communities of Houston, Texas; Oaxaca/Chiapas, Mexico; South Florida; Mexico City and Morales; and Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Univision's contribution included a seven-hour telethon with a celebrity-studded phone bank, and a two-day sports special in partnership with several key sports networks, in addition to numerous regional and local campaigns in Univision's markets.

Walgreens
Walgreens' customers nationwide generously contributed over $18 million to the Red Cross for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria relief efforts through donations at store checkouts. In addition, Walgreens made individual commitments of $650,000 to aid in disaster recovery efforts from these hurricanes. Walgreens also donated food items, first aid and medical equipment including blood pressure cuffs, glucometer strips, catheters and transport wheelchairs to the Red Cross emergency shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. They also provided other first-aid and medical items, donated trailers of water and food, as well as EmergenC and sunscreen to affected areas in Puerto Rico to support relief efforts.

Walmart
Walmart, its employees and customers partnered with the Red Cross to help people affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, the Mexico earthquakes and the California wildfires. Over a 32-hour period, Walmart customers raised a record-breaking $5 million, with a corporate match of $10 million. In total, Walmart raised and donated more than $60 million to the Red Cross to support hurricane relief efforts.

Additionally, Walmart associates in Red Cross mega-shelters in Dallas and Houston set up Walmart pop-up stores to distribute much-needed supplies and staples to shelter residents. Necessities like hygiene items, formula and diapers were given to residents free of charge.

Lastly, Walmart's logistical and transportation experts retooled the operations supply chain – bringing much-needed aid to people faster. Quick work by the Walmart financial services team enabled the Red Cross to provide fast cash to those most impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Walmart's previous financial support also made a big difference thanks to a significant investment in RC View – which aided almost every shelter and resource decision the Red Cross made in response to these storms – through the analytics and mapping capabilities of this new technology.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE American Red Cross