The U-Haul® Disaster Relief Program was named The American Business Awards® PR Campaign of the Year for Corporate Responsibility in 2025.
U-Haul was honored as the Gold Winner of the Stevie Award, the top public relations award bestowed in the category, at a June 10 banquet at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The U-Haul Disaster Relief Program is a longstanding goodwill initiative to help neighbors in their time of need. The program is typically offered shortly before or after a natural disaster strikes. Local U-Haul companies have the option to extend 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at owned-and-operated facilities near the impacted communities.
The program was offered and utilized by more people during 2024 and early 2025 than ever before in the 80-year history of U-Haul.
Natural Disasters Created a Need
The 2024 calendar year was filled with natural disasters. Tornado outbreaks occurred across Midwest states in late spring. Hurricanes Francine, Helene and Milton brought widespread destruction to the Southeast in September and October.
The Southern California wildfires in January 2025 continued the trend of extreme events, creating an immediate need for secure self-storage units and portable storage containers where people could secure their valued possessions. The need for corporate support was clear, and U-Haul was there to lend a hand.
From March 2024 through January 2025, the U-Haul Disaster Relief Program was offered at 725 Company centers for 32 separate relief efforts. As a result, 29,665 customers came to U-Haul requesting storage services and received a self-storage room or U-Box container at no cost for one month.
Of those customers, 71% (21,072 customers) were families affected by the hurricanes, including many families in western North Carolina after flooding from Helene ravaged communities.
Helping with a Caring Heart
“Our storage and field teams have made this program a priority, and we try to be sure every person who needs help gets it during disasters,” stated Dennis O’Connor, Vice President of U-Haul Storage Operations. “It is very nice to be acknowledged with the Stevie Award, but that’s not why we do this. Corporate responsibility stems from caring about customers. Meeting the basic needs of families has been our mission since 1945.”
The monetary value of U-Haul assistance given from 29,665 months of free storage equates to $4,081,011. It marks the first time U-Haul has provided more than $4 million in relief through its goodwill program in a year’s time.
Thanks to its robust infrastructure and compassionate management and field teams, U-Haul will continue to make a significant difference. Ensuring cities are resilient in the face of disasters is a staple of the U-Haul business model through its self-storage and truck-sharing services.
In addition to its own disaster relief program, U-Haul also proudly serves as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder.
