By Steve Smith — TWICE, 3/16/2011
Updated! New York – Best Buy, Walmart, Costco and Amazon have all announced plans to support Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
Best Buy announced today a $500,000 donation to support the immediate response efforts to the disaster. The contribution was made to the American Red Cross to help advance their short-term relief and long-term rebuilding of infrastructure in Japan.
Paula Prahl, senior VP of communications, public affairs and corporate responsibility for Best Buy, said, « We have been in close contact with our business partners in Japan and offer our thoughts and prayers as they cope with this tragic event. While we are mindful of the significant loss facing the Japanese people, we are thankful to report that no Best Buy employees were directly affected by the disaster. »
Company employees interested in volunteering or making personal donations to help with Japan are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross.
Walmart announced on March 16 it is making an initial commitment of $5 million in cash and donations to the relief effort. The company is also using its Japanese stores as distribution points for aid and even having workers set up in the parking lot when the store building is too badly damaged to use.
Earlier Walmart said « working with the Japanese government and relief organizations on the ground to provide food, water and daily necessities to the people who have been impacted by the disaster. Our trucks are beginning to make deliveries into the affected area, and our stores are now better prepared to act as focal points for relief. The Akishima Distribution Center has shipped 10 tons of water to Yokota Air Base. We continue to assess other ways we can help. »
Costco said earlier this week that to assist in the relief efforts, all Costco locations around the world will be accepting donations at cash registers for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Relief Fund. Donations can also be made through the Red Cross link on www.costco.com.
Amazon.com’s home page takes customers to a microsite where they can make donations to the American Red Cross’s Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund using the e-tailer’s Amazon Payments money-transfer system.
For more information on organizations to donate to, click here.
