Home improvement retailer The Home Depot has pledged $3 million to aid in the rebuilding efforts of communities in Florida and other areas that were battered by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan.

The donations will come in the form of tools, supplies and grants that will aid the repair and rebuilding efforts throughout the entire impacted region.

Home Depot has said it will donate $1 million to the Volunteer Florida Foundation's Hurricane Relief Fund, which was established by Governor Jeb Bush to help Florida residents ravaged by the recent storms. In addition, the company will donate $2 million to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., The Corp. for National and Community Service, and other nonprofit groups that support housing and revitalization efforts.

These donations are in addition to recent financial and in-kind contributions already made by the company and its employee assistance fund to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and local relief organizations, bringing total relief contributions to nearly $4 million through late September.

"The Home Depot has worked hard to help our customers prepare for the recent weather emergencies, and now we are committing an unprecedented level of financial support, materials and people to help rebuild communities and lives," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO of The Home Depot. "We are proud to contribute a portion of our pre- and post-hurricane sales to the rebuilding efforts in the communities we serve."

In a press release, Gov. Bush said, "We greatly appreciate the leadership role The Home Depot is taking in helping the citizens of our state. The devastation caused by these storms has been extremely far-reaching, and help from The Home Depot will greatly assist those with immediate needs in the weeks ahead."

The organizations supported by The Home Depot will determine how money is allocated in specific communities, with priority given to those in greatest need.

In addition to materials, supplies and financial contributions, Home Depot has activated Team Depot, its store-based volunteer network, to assist in the storm cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Team Depot associates were scheduled to begin work on Saturday, Oct. 2, repairing a YMCA in Orange County and a Girl Scout facility in Seminole County. Dozens of similar rebuilding efforts are planned over the next 18 months.