Home Depot Helps Red Cross assist flood victims

When disaster strikes, Red Cross is called to respond. In order to make that response more effective, Canadian Red Cross has partnerships with 11 major corporations that provide a variety of essential items needed for disaster response. One of these partners, The Home Depot, was called upon recently to assist with serious floods that hit Western Canada.

In southeast Manitoba, downpours dumped over nine inches of rain on June 11 causing flash flooding, road closures and heavy runoff - raising water levels on several surrounding rivers. Four communities declared local emergencies. Red Cross assisted more than 100 evacuees from several affected communities, including the distribution of 150 clean-up kits supplied by the Winnipeg Home Depot store.

	Some of the clean-up kits distributed at the Reception/Recovery Centre in Standoff.

In southern Alberta, heavy rainfall on June 9 and 10 resulted in flooding of homes in Standoff. Nine other communities declared local emergencies. In support of Red Cross relief efforts there, the Home Depot store in Calgary delivered the clean-up kits directly to the Blood Tribe reserve in Standoff.

According to Gary Cook, Manager of the Lethbridge Alberta, office, Red Cross personnel worked closely with Blood Tribe Administration to assess whether basic needs were being met and to deliver the donated clean-up kits.

"The Reserve was pleased to have Red Cross there and was grateful for the assistance we provided," says Cook. In all, over 70 Red Cross workers were part of the disaster response team.

In both cases, the regions were very happy with the excellent support and customer service provided by their respective Home Depot locations, says Vince Bodnar, Manager of Domestic and International Disaster Services for Western Zone.

"On behalf of the recipients of the donation, Red Cross extends a sincere thanks to the team at Home Depot."

Disasters cannot be predicted and even the best preparation, such as the disaster training that many Red Cross personnel received in Banff, Alberta cannot anticipate every need that will arise. Gary Cook says, "every disaster is different and you can always learn from it." However, it is comforting to know that with the support of partners like The Home Depot, Red Cross will be prepared for disaster situations like never before.

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