As communities in the southeastern U.S. continue cleaning up the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in early October, Domtar and our colleagues have stepped in to provide hurricane relief.
Domtar donated 100,000 diapers to the North Carolina Diaper Bank, a nonprofit based in Durham. We also contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross to help those in need in North Carolina and South Carolina, and we provided $10,000 to affected facilities to support local hurricane relief efforts.
Beyond Domtar’s corporate contributions, hundreds of our colleagues, some of whom suffered damage to their own homes, gave generously to help neighbors and fellow employees.
Greenville, North Carolina
Flooding around our Personal Care facility in Greenville continued for a week after the hurricane. The plant was forced to close, making it a challenge to identify and reach affected employees. Operations resumed on Oct. 17, and returning employees quickly began donating money and supplies for those who had experienced significant losses.
Plymouth, North Carolina
The Plymouth Mill has supported affected employees with supplies, and it made donations to the Bertie County emergency management group, the Bertie County Food Bank and the Washington County Food Bank. Employees also raised funds to donate to a food pantry for Greenville employees and to other area food banks.
Tatum, South Carolina
At the Tatum converting facility in South Carolina, employees used their community fund to gather and distribute hurricane relief contributions. The group shopped for supplies, like baby needs and personal needs for adults such as clothes, water and food. They then sent those supplies to Lumberton, North Carolina, which was hit particularly hard by the storm and flooding. Four Tatum employees went shopping and bought approximately $1,500 worth of supplies, which were taken by the Red Cross to the affected area.
Bennettsville, South Carolina
Marlboro Mill manager Dennis Askew asked the mill’s EarthChoice Ambassadors to lead the local hurricane relief effort. A gate donation event was held Oct. 13 and 14, within days of the storm, and employees graciously donated almost $3,500 worth of supplies and monetary donations. Contributions continue to come in, and they will be used to benefit communities in North Carolina and South Carolina.
“Marlboro Mill employees realized an urgent need to help citizens heavily impacted by Hurricane Matthew,” Askew said. “Though a majority of employees were affected by Hurricane Matthew, it did not deter them from coming together during a crisis to meet the needs of those less fortunate.”
