I had a few people contact me about the JCPenney efforts to help the victims of Katrina. We hear a lot of bad things happening in that area, so I thought I would share what the company I work for has done and will continue to do.
First, we donated a base $250,000 to the Red Cross right away, as well as donating 100,000 basic clothing items such as jackets, towels, blankets socks..you get the idea. We offered to donate a lot of clearance items...shorts, shirts, and such, but the Red Cross said they had no way to distribute them.
We also held a fund drive company wide, and all of the funds up to Sept 7th were matched, dollar for dollar, to the Red Cross as well. After the 7th we are still matching donations, but the money is earmarked for JCPenney families in the area.
JCPenney is paying all employees for the next two pay periods, even though their stores have been closed, and is promising them jobs at any other location they can reach. They are also granting a two month stay of payments on anyone who takes (or already owes) a loan on their savings plan/401K.
The Company also donated an additional $350,000 to the Red Cross General Fund, and employees now have the ability to directly deposit funds with the Red Cross as well, and many are doing so.
We also are giving a 20% discount to any person who lived in the flood area, with or without a voucher, to help them buy necessities in our stores.
I am not trying to plug my company, I just thought that the bad things have gotten a lot of press, while a lot of companies, like JCPenney, have given a lot to try and help the people who are most affected by this event.
Things like this bring out the good in some people, not just the bad.
I wish it had not been necessary, and that there had been no loss of life, but at least some people are trying to help, and that is an important story that needs to be told too.
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
For what it's worth, my company did something, though not as elaborate as JC Penney, because they're not as large.
They had a car wash, using volunteer employee labor, with donations going to the Red Cross. Matching donations were made by the company to its employees in the affected areas.
I think it's worth noting they surpassed their goal.
(I feel weird typing a response like this when I'm not naming my company. Sorry, I'm not going to. Separation of Hatrack and Life. )
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Yeah, a local pool hall did that today, although I forgot about it until it was over.
A lot of businesses are helping, as well as individuals.
T, I know where you work...I could mention it for you....
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