The Home Depot Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, today announced it will donate $1 million to the immediate relief, recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts in the Northeast in the wake of the widespread damage by Superstorm Sandy.  Donations are immediately being issued to the Red Cross, Team Rubicon, and Operation Homefront:

• American Red Cross - $250,000 for immediate disaster relief supplies and activities.  This donation is in addition to the Foundation's annual gift of $500,000 to the Red Cross' disaster giving program, bringing the company's total 2012 commitment to $750,000. As part of this effort, The Home Depot is today providing the Red Cross with the following requested items for cleanup activities in New York and New Jersey:
  • 5,000 metal/garden/stone/bow rakes
  • 5,000 flat/transfer shovels
  • 15,000 pairs of leather cowhide work gloves
• Team Rubicon - $100,000 to deploy special teams of U.S. military veterans to local communities in the Northeast.  Team Rubicon trains and mobilizes veterans who have unique skills and deploys them in times of crisis.  Teams are already on the ground in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• Operation Homefront - $150,000 for Operation Homefront's Emergency Relief Fund that provides food, clothing and temporary shelter to service members and their dependents in in the affected areas.

The distribution of the remainder of the funds will be determined as events continue to unfold on the ground and damage assessments are made. 

"Our hearts go out to the communities, families and our own associates who are dealing with the effects of Superstorm Sandy," said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation.  "We pledge to be there for the long haul as communities begin recovering and rebuilding. We will use the knowledge and expertise we have gained from responding to other large scale disasters to deploy our funds and volunteers with maximum impact.  As part of our focus to ensure that every veteran has a safe place to call home, we will search out opportunities to help veterans whose homes have been impacted by the storm."

In addition to financial donations, Team Depot, the company's associate-led volunteer force, is busy working with local authorities and nonprofit groups to assess damage and mobilize volunteer teams for cleanup activities.  For Home Depot associates affected by the storm and experiencing unexpected financial difficulties as a result, The Homer Fund, a nonprofit charity funded by the company's associates to provide emergency financial assistance to associates, has mobilized to help them and ensure their needs are met.

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Delta Air Lines, through the Delta Air Lines Foundation, today announced a $100,000 gift to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

This donation is in addition to Delta's long-standing agreement with the American Red Cross to provide complimentary cargo and passenger capacity, if needed, to help move relief supplies and workers to and from disaster areas around the world.

"New York and the Northeast part of the country are a core part of our global network, and we are committed to finding ways to help those in need following this devastating hurricane," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president – New York. "Delta's more than 7,000 employees in New York, backed by the support of our 80,000 worldwide, are rallying to make a difference and help rebuild our communities."

In addition, Delta customers can donate SkyMiles to the American Red Cross through Delta's SkyWish program.  Delta actively supports this and other charities in enabling the donation of miles to help support worthy causes.

Delta Air Lines has been a frequent supporter of the Red Cross through financial donations and blood drives. Delta employees are the largest blood donor in the Southeastern U.S.  The Red Cross often moves volunteers to the scene of disasters using donated SkyMiles, and Delta employees have volunteered for the Red Cross in the wake of many large disasters.

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The Coca-Cola Company has a long-standing history of supporting communities in their time of need. As the Northeast U.S. begins to recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, Coca-Cola is working to ensure that there is relief on hand.

Earlier today, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-ColaCompany pledged $1MM to local community relief efforts. These funds will help provide resources for necessary food and shelter in the short-term and will aid in the long-term rebuilding efforts.

"Coca-Cola always stands ready to help when people are in need. Our hearts go out to those affected by this destructive storm," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, TheCoca-Cola Company. "Our system has mobilized to help however we can. We're working with local authorities and relief agencies, donating our beverages and funds to help rebuild impacted communities."

Despite widespread road closures and power outages, pallets of bottled water have already been delivered to hard hit areas in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the region. Coca-Cola is working with local authorities and agencies to assess additional beverage donation needs and identify ways to provide assistance.

In advance of the storm, the Company worked closely with customers throughout the area to provide product and resources to help people prepare. As recovery efforts continue, the Company will remain steadfast in its support, offering relief where needed.

"Coca-Cola people live and work in the areas impacted by this massive storm and they take tremendous pride in working with their customers and communities in times of need," said Steve Cahillane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Refreshments. "Our Northeast Region Team is working diligently to make our products available and provide donated beverages to those that require assistance. In times of need no one comes together like the Coca-Cola Family to support our communities."