Category Archives: Annual Disaster Giving PRogram

Three Northern Ohio companies aid in disaster response through annual giving

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

As an American Red Cross volunteer, I have seen the need and effectiveness our disaster relief services. When families are affected by a disaster—whether a single-family home fire or large-scale event—they need immediate assistance, as “Help can’t wait.” And the need for services has never been greater and continues to increase.

August 31, 2023. Horseshoe Beach, Florida. A Red Cross emergency response vehicle drives through the devastated community of Horseshoe Beach, Florida. Red Cross volunteers are delivering food and supplies in hard-hit neighborhoods after Hurricane Idalia. As a result of the climate crisis, hurricanes are becoming more intense and more destructive with increased rainfall and higher storm surges. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

Here in Northern Ohio, we recently reported that, following severe storms, the Red Cross assisted 62 families, providing more than $42,500 in financial aid, in a single week. And last July, the Red Cross conducted its largest sheltering operation in the region since 2004.

Nationwide, we experienced 15 billion-dollar disasters in the first half of 2023, a new record, and the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice the number of large disasters than it did a decade ago.

When disaster strikes, the Red Cross’ ability to immediately respond is thanks to generous donations, including funding from members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). Three of these members are based in Northern Ohio. The J.M. Smucker Company, Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc., and FirstEnergy Corporation aid through the Annual Disaster Giving Program.

The J.M. Smucker Company became a Red Cross Disaster Responder in 2017 and went on to become an ADGP supporter in 2019. It currently contributes at the $500,000 level. On its Community Resources web page, The J.M. Smucker Company says, “Major tragedies are a heartbreaking reality, and it is critical our communities have the resources to recover and rebuild. Through our partnerships, including with the Red Cross, United Way and Habitat for Humanity, we have helped support these efforts with product and financial donations. Our employees have also stepped up, volunteering time and effort to help their neighbors in need.”

Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc., has been an ADGP supporter since 2020 and currently contributes at the $250,000 level. In its 2022 Sustainability Report, Marathon Petroleum said, “MPC’s disaster response support considers immediate humanitarian needs, as well as long-term recovery in affected communities. As an added form of support in times of high-impact emergencies, MPC activates a special employee donation matching program separate from our company matching gift program, enabling employee donations to make a greater impact in times of crisis.” It donated over $1.2 million to disaster recovery efforts in 2022.

FirstEnergy became a Disaster Responder Partner in 2021 and has since been an ADGP partner at the $250,000 level. The company’s Community Preparedness web page says, “The FirstEnergy Foundation’s contributions to local nonprofit organizations help strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities.” Its priorities include “Improving the quality of life in our communities and supporting key safety initiatives.” FirstEnergy is also proud of its employee volunteers.

Thanks to the ADGP members and other donors, the Red Cross has the resources, personnel and training to respond, even as needs increase.

“The generous support of the members of ADGP allows the Red Cross to provide services such as preparedness programs, response to disasters and client recovery planning,” said Barb Thomas, senior disaster program manager for the Red Cross’ Northern Ohio region. “The American Red Cross could not meet the mission of alleviating human suffering in the face of disasters without the members of ADGP as community partners and donors.”

Learn more about the Annual Disaster Giving Program and how these year-round contributions help meet the needs of disaster survivors.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer

From home fires to large scale disasters, organizations help Red Cross respond

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The J.M. Smucker Company, Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc., and FirstEnergy Corporation aid through Annual Disaster Giving Program

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

One of the many memorable experiences as an American Red Cross volunteer came soon after first joining. I had spent two days assisting families and first responders during and after a large condominium fire in one of Cleveland’s western suburbs. While packing up as evening fell, I received a call. A large apartment building in an eastern suburb was now burning. I stopped by the Red Cross’ Cleveland office, resupplied a response vehicle, and headed off to meet the volunteers and staff already on the scene.

It was comforting to know that, even with the high number of people needing aid, we were able to provide it. No one impacted would have to wait for financial assistance, for a place to stay, for food and water. Such immediacy is critical in a disaster, as the Red Cross has emphasized that #HelpCantWait.

Our ability to quickly respond is due to generous donations, whether from individuals or large organizations like those taking part in the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). Such support is critical, as locally and nationally, disasters are increasing.

This national Red Cross news release celebrates the 130+ corporate and organizational members of the ADGP. Three of them, The J.M. Smucker Company, Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc., and FirstEnergy Corporation assist the Northern Ohio region.

As The J.M. Smucker Company reports, it became a Red Cross Disaster Responder in 2017 and went on to become an ADGP supporter in 2019. It currently contributes at the $500,000 level. Community involvement is important to the company, including Disaster Relief. It states, “Major tragedies are a heartbreaking reality, and it is critical our communities have the resources to recover and rebuild. Through our partnerships, including with the Red Cross, United Way and Habitat for Humanity, we have helped support these efforts with product and financial donations. Our employees have also stepped up, volunteering time and effort to help their neighbors in need.”

As I reported in 2020, Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc., became an ADGP supporter and currently contributes at the $250,000 level. As the organization writes on its community investment page, “We provide funding, equipment and support to first responders, government agencies and community- based organizations to increase the overall safety of the communities where we operate. Preference is given to projects and organizations that help communities better prepare for, mitigate the risks of and respond to disasters, hazards and emergencies.”

FirstEnergy is also an ADGP supporter at the $250,000 level. Through the FirstEnergy Foundation’s Investing with Purpose initiative, the organization has given more than $3.43 million to support “nonprofit organizations that advance health and safety, workforce development, educational and social justice initiatives.”

Preparation and education are also vital parts of the ADGP program, and September is National Preparedness Month.

Thanks to ADGP members and other donors, the Red Cross has the resources, personnel and training to respond, whether to the three-per-day home fires we average in Northern Ohio, or a large-scale disaster. Our Regional Disaster Officer Tim O’Toole explained, “Without the generosity of our donors we would not be able to assist the nearly 1,800 families we have in the past year. These resources are critical to many families being able to begin their pathway to recovery after these life-altering events.”

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer