The American Red Cross and The Home Depot Form Partnership

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MAY 2005 – The American Red Cross and The Home Depot just announced the formation of a three-year, $6.6 million partnership designed to educate 1 million people on hurricane and disaster preparedness.

“The Home Depot is deeply committed to helping communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Our new partnership with the American Red Cross is in keeping with our strong tradition of providing people, product and a place to gather for those who want to protect their homes and communities when bad weather threatens,” said Tom Taylor, executive vice president, Home Depot Stores. “We salute the state of Florida for its recent actions and hope that our new Red Cross partnership further encourages people to prepare early for this year’s hurricane season.”

As a part of this partnership, the American Red Cross and The Home Depot have developed Ready Gear, an emergency starter kit containing essential, lifesaving items recommended by the American Red Cross. The partnership also calls for the dissemination of disaster preparedness information and tips through a series of national and market-specific educational clinics, online information and in-store collateral materials. An unusually severe 2004 hurricane season and other weather-related disasters throughout the country punctuate the importance of and urgency in preparing for disasters.

The Home Depot stores in hurricane-prone areas will be hosting a series of clinics from June through September. The four scheduled clinics are “How To Prepare for a Hurricane,” “ABCs of Hurricane Preparation,” “How To Protect Your Property from Wind” and “How To Build Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit.” Information on these clinics, as well as the hurricane preparation tips, will be available on www.homedepot.com/redcross and www.redcross.org. Later this year, The Home Depot and the American Red Cross will also introduce two additional curricula focusing on house fire and wildfire preparedness.

A study conducted for the American Red Cross in July 2004 by Wirthlin Worldwide indicated that 67 percent of Americans feel it is very important to be prepared for catastrophic events, yet only 22 percent of those surveyed feel they are very prepared. In addition to the grassroots and online education program, both organizations will work together to support disaster relief activity as needed.

During the unprecedented 2004 hurricane season, the American Red Cross and The Home Depot led a historic response to those in need. The Red Cross opened more than 1,800 shelters to house nearly 425,000 people. With almost 35,000 volunteers and employees, coupled by tremendous community support and partnerships, the Red Cross served nearly 16.6 million meals and snacks.

Last year, The Home Depot mobilized the largest supply and volunteer effort in its history as the company donated more than $4 million to the relief and rebuilding efforts of several organizations following the devastation caused by four hurricanes that affected the southeastern United States. More than 2,000 associates from outside the affected areas volunteered to relieve and assist their co-workers. Traditionally, the company has worked to prepare its communities for disasters through clinics and awareness programs, responded with needed supplies and volunteers in the wake of natural disasters and severe weather, and assisted in community rebuilding efforts through volunteerism and in-kind contributions.

“Being prepared is a key element to a community’s readiness and ability to respond to a disaster. Families that take the time to organize a disaster supplies kit; develop a communication plan; and learn what to do before, during and after a disaster are able to recover more quickly after an incident,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Preparedness and Response for the American Red Cross. “We greatly value our partnership with The Home Depot and are excited about its commitment to reach more Americans with preparedness information and products by providing in-store clinics and training; and by co-creating Ready Gear, an emergency starter kit.”

The contents of the Ready Gear starter kit can aid two adults for 72 hours during or immediately following a disaster or emergency. The kit contains breathing masks, food, gloves, blankets, a flashlight and a radio, among other emergency items. Ready Gear has a retail price of $79.99, which includes a $10.00 donation to the American Red Cross, and is available online at www.homedepot.com and at The Home Depot stores located within hurricane-prone areas.

SOURCE American Red Cross, The Home Depot