Caterpillar Foundation’s Support for Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts
September 2, 2021
Hurricane Ida, a deadly Category 4 hurricane, made landfall on Sunday near Port Fourchon, Louisiana. Ida kept its strength for a significant time, resulting in widespread destruction, including significant infrastructure and home damage well into northern Louisiana. More than 1 million customers are still without power across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The storm occurred on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, still remembered as one of the deadliest hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S.
In addition to pre-positioned supplies, the Red Cross moved truckloads of cots, blankets, and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals, into Louisiana and Mississippi ahead of the storm. Hundreds of Red Cross disaster responders are currently supporting evacuees, and hundreds more responders are en route to provide additional support. The American Red Cross is projecting Hurricane Ida to reach its highest level of disaster operations.
This storm follows tragic flash flooding in Tennessee, Hurricane Henri and Tropical Storm Fred that battered the East Coast, and devastating wildfires that continue to burn in the West.
How Caterpillar Foundation is Helping
The Caterpillar Foundation is a member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). Our $2 million annual global investment helps provide a funding base, allowing the Red Cross to directly respond to needs of individuals and families impacted by disasters. This model has proven efficient and effective in immediately meeting disaster relief needs, ensuring the Red Cross can prepare for disasters before they occur.
August 28, 2021. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Red Cross volunteers Joe Apicelli of Groton, CT, and Kathleen Rook of Ashford, CT, load supplies that will be shipped to emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Ida. Photo Credit: Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
August 30, 2021. New Sarpy, Louisiana. Wendy Halsey of the American Red Cross surveys the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Photo Credit: Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
August 29, 2021. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A family gets settled at a Red Cross evacuation shelter. Photo Credit: Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
Caterpillar Team: How You Can Help
In addition to our investment in the ADGP, employee, retiree and dealer employee contributions to the American Red Cross are eligible for matching by the Caterpillar Foundation. If you wish to direct your contribution to Hurricane Ida relief efforts, follow the link below to make your donation.
Red Cross Disaster Matching – Contributions from individual global employees, retirees, and dealer employees made via personal credit or debit card are eligible for matching funds from the Foundation. To ensure your donation will be automatically matched, click here.
- The Foundation is not able to match check or cash contributions.
- The Foundation cannot match pooled sums collected by employees at facilities and dealerships.
- The Foundation is not able to match corporate contributions from Cat® dealers.
- To direct your contribution toward a specific disaster, select the name from the available list on the Red Cross website. (Note: The Foundation match is applied to the general disaster fund.)
