American Red Cross recognizes Grainger for its disaster efforts
The American Red Cross today recognized Grainger, in celebration of the company's 90th anniversary, for its long-standing partnership and support of Red Cross disaster response and preparedness work.
Throughout the years, Grainger, near Lake Forest, has leveraged its resources, best practices in logistics, employee engagement and technology to help the Red Cross prepare for and respond to disaster of all sizes. Since 2001, Grainger has donated nearly $17 million in cash and product to the Red Cross, and currently serves as a $1 million Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program member.
ADGP members like Grainger pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters, powering the Red Cross with strong infrastructure, trained volunteers and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support to those in crisis. This annual contribution allows the Red Cross to respond whenever and wherever disasters occur, help families during the recovery process and prepare people for future emergencies.
"As Grainger celebrates its 90th anniversary, the Red Cross wants to thank the company, its employees and customers for generously supporting our disaster relief efforts for more than a decade," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "In addition to Grainger's support during recent disasters, we truly value their contributions to our preparedness programs such as Ready When the Time Comes - which has allowed us to prepare the business community to help the Red Cross respond to unforeseen disasters - and our Home Fire Campaign, in which Grainger has donated nearly 70,000 smoke alarms since 2014 to ensure people are safe. Furthermore, their meaningful support of our Volunteer Connection system has proved vital in strengthening our infrastructure and enabling the Red Cross to better engage our dedicated volunteers. We are extremely grateful for Grainger's steadfast and impactful partnership."
Natural disasters
Through its partnership, Grainger works with the Red Cross in several ways to bring relief to communities affected by disasters. During the past year-and-a-half:
• Grainger donated $400,000 in product, including gloves, dust masks and trash bags, after the 2016 Louisiana floods.
• In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, Grainger committed $250,000 worth of product donations, such as gloves, shovels, dust masks, trash bags, brooms and sheets, to support relief efforts. As an ADGP member, Grainger's contribution also enabled the Red Cross to mobilize ahead of the storms to respond immediately to the needs of hundreds of thousands of people. To date, with the help of our partners, the Red Cross has provided more than 1.3 million overnight shelter stays, served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks, and distributed more than 5.1 million relief and cleanup items to help hurricane survivors get back on their feet.
• Grainger's employees also packed 1,500 comfort kits, which include personal-hygiene items such as: shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, a comb, a toothbrush and toothpaste, razors to provide to people in Red Cross shelters who were impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
• Grainger's employees also remotely mapped areas in southwest Puerto Rico, as part of the Missing Maps project, to help the Red Cross and partner agencies plan and conduct disaster relief operations on the island following Hurricane Maria. Missing Maps is an open, collaborate project in which people can help map areas that are "missing" from the map so that humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross and first responders can help meet the needs of people impacted by disaster.
• Grainger also offers a Charitable Matching Gift program for its employees to make a donation to the Red Cross, where the company offers a 3:1 match of eligible employee contributions (up to $2,500 annually) to qualifying organizations.
"This year, we've seen several areas devastated by natural disasters, and I applaud the speed and agility shown by the American Red Cross and the selfless actions of our team members to help provide relief to those affected communities," said DG Macpherson, Grainger chairman and CEO. "I am very proud of our team members. When our customers and our communities face challenges, regardless of size or scale, Grainger is there to offer expertise, service and solutions that provide value. This is what makes us who we are. As Grainger celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, we have a lot to be proud of as we look back and a lot to be excited about as we look forward."