Ryder System has announced the results of several corporate- and employee-related assistance efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, as well as early indications related to Rita.
Through the month of September, Ryder estimates nearly $1 million in cash and in-kind support were provided to employees, customers and the general public affected by the two hurricanes. Ryder and its employees have pledged more than $440,000 in financial donations to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross and the Ryder Employee Emergency Relief Fund.
More than 500 Ryder trucks and trailers have been deployed to the Gulf Coast to deliver more than 3,000 tons of food, medical supplies and other relief on behalf of Ryder, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross and certain customers.
Emergency response teams reached out to contact customers, provided extensive support and partnered with them to provide relief to others in the region.Ryder’s fuel experts leveraged the company’s position as a top U.S. fuel purchaser, strategically managed Ryder’s nationwide inventory and established an online tool to keep fuel flowing and customers’ businesses operating.
Employees were able to access a 24-hour toll-free hotline and were assisted with ice, water, food, medical supplies, housing and more than 90 grants of financial assistance. Regular pay and benefits were provided to employees unable to return to work and to employees called to military duty to assist in the recovery efforts.
“We’re extremely proud of all the hard work, commitment and outreach that employees are providing to help their fellow employees, our customers and others whose lives have been devastated by Katrina and Rita,” said Greg Swienton, Ryder chairman and chief executive officer. “The victims of these disasters are in our thoughts and prayers as we and the nation work together to rebuild over time.”
