HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast today announced it will provide $100,000 in support to the American Red Cross for those impacted by the devastation of the recent flooding in Texas. The company will provide $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in-kind support through public service announcements for the American Red Cross.
Comcast joins other companies including HEB, Noble Energy, Total and Occidental Petroleum who are making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross as they continue to provide shelter, food and comfort as part of a massive relief effort that spans over 100 counties across the state and neighboring Oklahoma.
In Texas, Red Cross volunteers and workers are manning shelters; delivering meals and relief supplies to hard-hit neighborhoods; and providing health services and emotional support to residents—including those coping with the trauma of multiple tornadoes and storms over the past month.
“Many Houston residents are still recovering and the American Red Cross is accepting donations to help residents with food and housing assistance,” said Mayor Annise Parker. "I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers, City employees and companies like Comcast who have stepped up to help those most affected by the recent flooding.”
The Red Cross estimates it will spend more than $5 million to aid people in Texas alone and that costs could be significantly higher, as the number of damaged homes is still being determined and additional flooding could cause more destruction.
“We haven’t raised nearly enough in donations to cover this cost—and our work is just starting,” said Steve Vetrano, CEO, Texas Gulf Coast Region of the American Red Cross. “We can’t do this alone and look for the support of local companies like Comcast to help those hit hardest with both personal needs and the restoration efforts taking place across the state.”
To help residents and emergency personnel with the aftermath of the flooding, Comcast has also opened its Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout the Greater Houston area to anyone who needs them, even if they are not customers.
“We have more than 2,500 employees in the Greater Houston area and, like other companies, we’re fortunate to have people who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteering out of a sense of caring for those in need,” said Ralph Martinez, regional senior vice president for Comcast Houston. “We are happy to support our employees, our customers and the greater community with financial contributions as well as volunteer and in-kind efforts.”
How You Can Help
Help people affected by the Texas Tornadoes and Storms. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. Visit www.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.