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Courtesy Duracell
Duracell's Rapid Responder truck gives out free batteries Wednesday in Manhattan. The truck also provides a charging station for mobile devices.
As the East Coast assesses damage from superstorm Sandy and focuses on rebuilding, corporations are opening their wallets to help with the recovery efforts. Beside donations of five, six and seven figures to the Red Cross and other organizations, companies are also creatively deploying mobile relief efforts. It's a time for goodwill — and for burnishing civic credentials.
As Sandy bore down, Home Depot stationed trucks preloaded with supplies in strategic locations, the Wall Street Journal reports. This allowed additional inventory to get delivered to stores even when normal routes were disrupted. The home improvement store also pledged an $250,000 to the Red Cross on top of their regular annual donation, $100,000 to Team Rubicon, a volunteer relief brigade composed of U.S. military veterans and $150,000 to Operation Homefront, an emergency relief fund.
The Verizon Foundation is donating $100,000 to the Red Cross. Verizon Wireless stores are letting people come in and charge their phones, hop on wi-fi and make free domestic phone calls. In the New Jersey towns of Sea Girt and Howell, the company set up mobile stores on wheels, and at Monmouth University and two spots in Toms River, the company established Wireless Emergency Communication Centers with free device charging, phones for free calls, and computer workstations.
Dispensing free batteries and offering a mobile device charging station, Duracell parked a Rapid Responder pickup truck in Hoboken and Little Ferry, N.J., on Thursday. Last night it was stationed in lower Manhattan. It's no doubt appreciated by the people lined up to charge their devices, but the area could probably use a whole army of them right now.
Other companies also stepped up to the challenge:
- AT&T and T-mobile agreed to let each other's customers roam on their networks, helpful as cell service took a hit during the storm and capacity has been slowly returning. AT&T is also sending out roving charging stations and RVs throughout the city, and waiving late-payment windows for people behind on their payments. They're also not disconnecting anyone's service who was unable to make a payment.
- 100 trucks are arriving at Sears and Kmart stores from 42 distribution centers, filled with the most-needed items like generators, sump pumps, batteries, and flashlights. Some items are going directly from the warehouses to speed delivery.
- Chevrolet donated 50 cargo vans, full-size SUVs and crossovers to the Red Cross for use in disaster relief. "It is during disasters like this that we all need to pull together as a country," said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson in a press release.
- Walmart has committed $1.5 million to disaster relief. Then there's the stories of difference made on the ground. For instance, a Wal-Mart employee in Tappahancock, Va., donated dry ice to save an organ at a local hospital without checking up the chain of command. "At Walmart, we empower our store managers to help the communities they serve," said spokesperson Tara Raddohl. "They don’t have to ask for permission to do what is right."
- Con Edison gave out free dry ice at seven locations in Brooklyn Thursday so utility customers without power could save their refrigerated food.
- U-Haul is giving 30 days of free storage to victims of the storm.
- eBay set up a special Hurricane Sandy site where 10 percent, and in some cases, up to 100 percent of the item's final price would go to a seller-designated charity.
- Kohl's made a $1 million donation the Red Cross. The department store also encouraged its workers to volunteer in recovery efforts, offering additional corporate grants to the nonprofits their employees were supporting.
- CVS donated $50,000 in bottled water and snacks to New Jersey areas hit hard by the superstorm. The goods were distributed via the Red Cross through their shelters. CVS also made a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross.
- The New York Yankees donated $500,000 to the Red Cross.
- NBC Universal is hosting a big benefit concert tonight at 8pm ET, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, and Billy Joel. Hosted by Matt Lauer, viewers will be encouraged to call in and donate to the Red Cross by visiting visit RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. (NBCNews.com is owned by NBC Universal.)
Some companies helped out by helping their customers to get involved. Through Nov. 30, American Airlines is giving frequent flier members 250 AAdvantage miles for donations of $50 to the Red Cross, or 500 miles for donations of $100 or more.
Airbnb.com, which matches travelers and people with extra rooms, encouraged members in storm-affected areas to lower their nightly prices. The site also announced it would temporarily waive fees for guests in the affected areas. One host is letting people use the service to stay at her place for free.
"I saw video coming in of water pouring in," said Shell Martinez, 36, "and I thought, 'People are going to need a place to stay.'" She posted her offer on Facebook and Twitter but it didn't get much traction until the site included it in an email blast to members, encouraging them to open their homes to the storm-stricken. Now Martinez has a full house and an inbox full of other hosts asking how they can do the same.
Companies who get involved in disaster charity have a chance to help out the communities they service, and also get a boost to their brand image. It's important that they walk the line when getting the word out about their efforts and are careful not to appear like they're captitalizing on tragedy.
David Meerman Scott, author of "Newsjacking: How to Inject your Ideas into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage," is a proponent of companies jumping into the newscycle. At the same time, a misfire can quickly turn into a social media backlash, especially when Google indexes in real-time, letting journalists and customers see your how companies are responding quicker than ever.
"The biggest danger is trivializing such a major disaster," Scott told NBC News. "When retailers like American Apparel offer a Hurricane Sandy sale, it crosses the line. People lost their lives, or their homes, and are living without power or food and they're trying to sell clothes."
Bottom line, says Scott, "It is generally not a good idea to newsjack a story that includes death and destruction unless you are helping victims."
More money news:
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Leave a Comment:
How can this be? I thought with Obama turning his immaculate attention to this tragedy, everything was fixed.
And what about all his brain-dead Obamatrons declaring that Big Government is the only way things like this can be fixed?
Simply amazing. People are suffering in one of the worst natural disasters in this nation's history, and the very first comment is to blame President Obama? What a disgrace.
Last time I checked, even the GOP is pleased with the way Obama has handled this entire situation. Grow up.
And then there's the fact that this article is about corporate responsibility. As I read it, I felt warm and fuzzy. The current occupant of the White House didn't occur to me. (None who has occupied it in my lifetime has made me feel warm and fuzzy.)
I think your political ranting is a cover for your inability to feel warm and fuzzy.
What a self-centered, disgusting individual you are. You should be ashamed of you.
OMG -- those evil corporations are at it again!
Even before Katrina hit, folks like you were blaming Bush.
Grow up.
Umm no... My first concern is for AMERICANS who are in the midst of a tragedy. NOT PLACING BLAME.
Hey Obama Lies,
It's nice these companies/corporations will step up to the plate and voluntarily aid those affected by loss and devastation. It's too bad that the American people weren't given the same opportunity, but were instead forced to involuntarily "donate" to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 by Bush and and his massive debt increasing "yes man", Paul Ryan. Privatized profit and socialized losses. Yeppers, pure socialism brought you by the conservative party.
Sure why not? It's great PR, and tax deductible.
Just like BO strutting around in NJ -- it's great PR paid for by the taxpayers.
Left to its own devices society always finds a way to show its altruism.
Thank you to all who have stepped up to help with this disaster. It is at times like these that people need to put aside all the political backlash and partisan BS. Who cares if it gives them "free" publicity, I for one believe that you don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
On the cynical side, I hope more companies will get on the "free" publicity bandwagon and will participate in the recovery efforts.
How much money actually goes to help the storm victims, do you suppose? Not very much. I bet it's just pennies on the dollar. It costs a LOT to put on an event like this when in fact their sweatshops around the globe are worked by those who are sick and poor and hungry. How about telling Nike to STOP RUNNING SWEATSHOPS, that would do a LOT for "charity", right there.
But if Nike can't/won't do that then I will donate to Team Sweat.
GO TEAM SWEAT!!
Not mentioned was Volkswagen Group of America who has contributed $500,000 to the American Red Cross disaster relief and is also matching employee contributions.
WHERE IS ROMPPY AND ALL THE REPUKES, and the FLOOD of MONEY from CAMPAIGNS.
Where are they????? I do not see any of these GREED MONGERS out their in the THICK OF SANDY???? WHERE IS THEIR HELP and COMPASSION. It does not exist !
Their GREEDY !!!!! Let the TAXPAYERS pay is what they are saying. That same POLICY will be there NEXT TIME a DISASTER STRIKES.
But they will wait LIKE BUSH and KATRINA. They want to see DEAD BODIES FLOATING BY THEIR 80 INCH SUPER SCREEN, before they even see the MESS.
What CHARLATANS these GOP/TEA are!!!!
What in the heck are you even talking about? Still wailing about Bush and Katrina, even though it was Blanco and Nagin who dropped the ball on that one, with Blanco blaming FEMA for not getting there, after FEMA warned that it could take three days for a federal response. After Bush begged Blanco to order an evacuation. But, keep up with your little rant. I am sure it makes you feel better!
Why pick on one party? If both sides would contribute even half of what they have both raised and spent, that would be a huge chunk of change to the victims all over the US - not just the East Coast. By the way, according to the times article here, the Dems have both raised and spent more on the 2012 campaign than the Reps: Dems raised $934M/spent $852.9M; Reps raised $881.8M/spent $752.3M. Not supporting one over the other just saying that if they both care so much for our country, why not put your money where your mouth is? NY Times article titled "The 2012 Money Race: Compare the Candidates."
Thank GOD their are DECENT COMPANIES OUT THERE.
How long before the REPUKES and TEA KILLERS and THEIR GREED WEALTH pitch in?
NEVER in our lifetime. That will NOT CHANGE Romppy did not SAY BUT THINKS !!!!
I'm not a company..just a retired guy.
In my area when the storm past..I saw people in the early AM lining up galore just for a cup of hot coffee in the only store open with a generator running the store.
I decided to take my Van with a 100 cup coffee maker I have and go to the nearest intersection of a highway.. I brought those foam 12 oz type cups and milk and sugar.
Had an extra 20 gallons of water plus more coffee in case I gave out all the coffee in coffee maker. Was gone fast..had electrical workers, tree cutters, police, EMT's, average persons who wanted it..I charged nothing..but some did give tips.
My Van ( simple cargo Van) is setup with a DC to AC inverter..this is how I kept the coffee hot in the coffee maker. I'm planning to make some kind of better setup in case something like this ever happens again..and will be able to help even better. Since I'm old wanted to do something to help..this was it!
You, sir, are an inspiration. You made my day!
Good idea. It's the little things that can make all the difference.
Koodoz, Mike277! I wish so much that I too could do the same. I am disabled in KY. I offerred all my stuff from my storage unit. It's all I have to give. It's high quality, meaningful stuff, just no takers. I still would like to help someone of whom is is the same position as I, meaning single, disabled, alone and scared.
Thank you sir, I am sure your kindness was greatly appreciated by everyone.
It's good to see corporations step up and help out in these communities.
I sure hope GWB is watching to see how he failed the victims of Katrina. It may have happened; I just don't recall the Katrina victims getting this kind of monetory help and attention. The picture I racall is a sea of black Americans at the convention center standing in water, with a helpless and shocked expression on their faces and one little boy begging for help NOW. Regardless, we should all pull together and sacrifice whatever money you can when events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. happen anywhere (not just the east coast) and go to bat for the victims just like we are doing now. We should all remember this: But for the grace of God, go I.
True free enterprise does work.
Why to go Walmart.
I worked for Wal-Mart for just over five years. I worked in areas such as asset protection. This type of job allows you to "see behind the curtains". Trust me when I say Wal-Mart could care less about its employees. This is just another Wal-Mar smoke screen to look good in the media. Its a simple tax write off with free publicity. How about Wal-Mart pay their own workers a decent wage or give them decent health coverage or other benefits. Wal-Mart is lower than low and you should NEVER FORGET THAT.