Texas was recently hit by Hurricane Harvey, one of the strongest storms to impact the U.S. in the last decade. Luckily, the American Red Cross and U-Haul were ready to respond with their disaster relief efforts.
The Power of the Red Cross
Harvey struck the Lone Star State on Aug. 25. Major flooding and evacuations affected a number of regions.
“Some communities remain without power and some school closures will be in effect until Sept. 11,” said Michelle Houlihan, American Red Cross Senior Divisional Officer. “It may be weeks before some can return to their homes to assess the damage.”
The Red Cross is one of the world’s most respected nonprofit organizations. It offers a breadth of experience and volunteer manpower in disaster response situations. U-Haul is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Responder program. U-Haul lends its assistance to the Red Cross with donations of equipment, self-storage and other services in times of need.
“We are happy to be a corporate sponsor so we can step up in troubled times to provide assistance,” said Jerry Lunn, U-Haul Company of Gulf Coast Texas president. “We are able to help the Red Cross provide goods and materials directly to the people most affected by the floods.”
U-Haul is among 42 members of the Disaster Responder program. These companies pledge annual support so that the Red Cross can prepare for and respond to disasters of all sizes. The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters. They also supply about 40 percent of the blood in the U.S., teach skills that save lives, provide international humanitarian aid, and support military members and their families.
U-Haul Heroes
In the wake of Harvey, U-Haul Team Members are also donating time, supplies and manpower to the cause. General Manager Warren Walter and his team at U-Haul Moving & Storage at Collins & Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington, Texas, helped the Red Cross load 172 boxes into U-Haul trucks heading to Houston.
Meanwhile, U-Haul Moving & Storage of S Fort Worth – Westcreek donated a cargo van and five 26-foot U-Haul trucks to the cause. The team there also helped load 360 boxes.
General Manager Jeri Butler and her team at U-Haul Moving & Storage of Arlington helped load a staggering 450 boxes in U-Haul trucks when the Red Cross needed some assistance.
U-Haul also donated approximately 500 boxes so the Red Cross could assemble 14,500 hygiene and comfort kits. American Airlines employees loaded these kits on five 26-foot U-Haul trucks. The Red Cross distributed kits in shelters along the Gulf Coast, as well as to Dallas evacuees.
“I absolutely adore working with our U-Haul teammates,” Houlihan said. “They are always thanking us for what the Red Cross is doing to support relief efforts. They are truly amazing people with huge hearts.”
You can join U-Haul in becoming an everyday hero for the Red Cross. To learn more about the Red Cross or to make a donation, visit redcross.org.
