Update on Hurricane Katrina relief
Aid continues to grow
-- Home Accents Today, 9/26/2005 7:03:00 AM
AmericasMart Atlanta, its vendors and employees have joined the list of industry members offering aid to Hurricane Katrina victims. AmericasMart and its employees personally have contributed thousands of dollars to Red Cross relief, as well as truckloads of clothing and other essentials.
Huge stores of food, donated from its Aramark pantries, have been delivered to the Atlanta Food Bank and AMC, Inc. President Jeff Portman, as part of his Angel Flight commitment, has flown more than 3,000 pounds of emergency supplies to the Gulf Coast and more than 30 evacuees into Atlanta and other cities across the region. "Katrina's ravages have forever changed the lives of those retailers and manufacturers who have come to depend on AmericasMart for the business opportunities that we've long provided," Portman said. "We care. We are deeply concerned and committed to assisting however, wherever and whenever we can." AmericasMart also is contacting as many exhibitors as possible in affected regions to ascertain their situation and needs, creating a Hurricane Katrina Customer Support & Service page on its Web site, AmericasMart.com to link buyers and manufacturers, who can access this service, to communicate on the status of product orders, shipments and other factors concerning their business and it is enhancing the Support & Service page with links to service agencies assisting evacuees, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Atlanta Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Travelers Aid and Dress for Success. The company also is encouraging employees to take one day of work in Hurricane Relief services, encouraging its temporary labor service agencies to seek out and employee those who have been displaced by the hurricane and is refunding any deposits to exhibitors unable to attend our Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market featuring The Atlanta Gourmet Market because of hurricane impact. The Home Depot launched Rebuilding Hope & Homes, the second phase of its relief efforts. Through customer contributions and a match of up to $1 million by Home Depot, this phase will fund health and human service programs for disaster victims and support the construction and refurbishment of affordable housing for individuals and families displaced by the storm. The monies raised will be split equally between The United Way and The Home Depot Foundation, which will provide funds to nonprofits working to rebuild the area. The Home Depot also has offered associates displaced by the hurricane the opportunity to relocate to any Home Depot store. To date about 500 associates have relocated. Dallas Market Center launched Operation Re-Store, a retailer relief effort for specialty stores in the three states directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Beginning immediately, all retailers in those states will be offered a special travel relief package to help them attend trade events at DMC. "All retailers in the region were impacted by the hurricane — directly or indirectly," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. "Therefore our continuing message to every single specialty store is that we care, and we want to help rebuild your businesses when you are ready." Retailers are encouraged to contact MarketTravel at 800-325-6587 for more information. DMC also is hosting a merchandise drive in the Hall of Nations of the World Trade Center and all merchandise is being delivered to The Salvation Army. Cash donations to the American Red Cross will continue to be accepted at the reception desk in the World Trade Center and at registration desks during trade events. Federated Department Stores said it has met and exceeded its target of raising $3 million for Hurricane Katrina relief within the first week of a nationwide effort. As of Sept. 19, total contributions to relief efforts from Federated's customers equal $1 million, and including matching gifts from Federated, its Macy's East division and The May Department Stores Foundation, which matched employee contributions from associates at former May Company stores and offices, exceed $3.6 million. "The recovery process in the Gulf Coast will be a marathon, not a sprint. Support from our generous and caring partners like Federated Department Stores will again enable the Red Cross to be there for the long haul," said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman, American Red Cross. The money will be divided equally between the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Employee contributions totaling $500,000 to either the American Red Cross or Salvation Army will be matched by a contribution from Federated to the David May Employees Trust Fund to benefit associates of Macy's, Foley's, David's Bridal and After Hours Formalwear in Gulf States who have been devastated by the hurricane. For the convenience of its customers, Federated will continue to accept contributions to the relief effort in its stores and online sites; however, the contributions are not eligible for the Federated match because the maximum already was met.
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