News

Posted On: 07/24/2006

Grainger and Red Cross launch Ready When the Time Comes disaster relief program

PlantServices.com

Richard L. Keyser (left), chairman and CEO of facilities maintenance supplies distributor Grainger, and Jack McGuire, CEO of the American Red Cross, on July 12 celebrated the national launch of the Ready When the Time Comes disaster relief program at the company’s Lake Forest, Ill., headquarters. The American Red Cross and Grainger teamed up to recruit and train corporate employees as volunteers to help mitigate the 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year. As the national founding sponsor of the program, Grainger presented the American Red Cross with a $1 million donation to help it expand the program from its current bases in Chicago and Denver to 16 Red Cross chapters across the nation during the next two years.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Grainger volunteers quickly mobilized to support response efforts in the Gulf Coast region and provided relief to thousands of survivors needing food, shelter and comfort. Employees also helped staff call centers for more than 450 hours, and contributed their time during other emergencies including fires, floods and tornadoes.

“There is nothing that can compare to the feeling I have after I've just helped someone who has experienced a tragic event, or helped to prevent something tragic from happening,” says Patti Rowles, a Grainger employee and experienced volunteer. “Being a part of the Ready When the Time Comes program gives me the opportunity to represent my company and give back to the community simultaneously.”

Grainger has a strong tradition of helping communities respond to disasters that dates back to the company's inception more than 78 years ago. In addition to the $1 million gift for the Ready When the Time Comes program, it sponsored the Red Cross Volunteer Administration Institute and gave more than $1 million in supplies and cash to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The company received the American Red Cross Circle of Humanitarian Award in 2005 and 2006 for its disaster relief efforts throughout the United States. This year, Keyser was honored with American Red Cross of Chicago's Heritage Award for his commitment to disaster preparedness and relief.