victoria.kickham@reedbusiness.com

Businesses and trade associations in the industrial distribution community were rallying to the cause of Hurricane Katrina relief in early September. Companies large and small were reaching into their pockets to give much-needed cash to organizations such as the American Red Cross, which was helping victims in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The Industrial Supply Assn. announced on Sept. 6 a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross on behalf of its member companies. ISA's members include distributors, manufacturers and related companies in the United States and Canada, several of which operate in the affected region.

"The loss of life and property to individuals and businesses in the Gulf Coast is overwhelming. In some cases, people have lost their homes and their workplaces. Our hope is that this donation by ISA on behalf of its membership will help support the relief efforts and massive rebuilding projects that will be necessary in that part of the nation," ISA president Tim Tevens said in a prepared statement.

As of early September, many individual companies had announced their efforts to help, as well. Two of the first companies to lend a helping hand were MRO giant W.W. Grainger and construction supplies retailer The Home Depot. Each company donated more than $1 million in cash and supplies to help with recovery and rebuilding efforts.

In addition, Dana Corp. announced Sept. 1 that it had given $50,000 to the Red Cross's Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund, and that it would make a second donation to the Red Cross by matching employee and retiree donations made through Nov. 30, 2005, to organizations that support the relief efforts.

Ferguson Enterprises joined with its sister companies on Sept. 2 to donate $200,000 and supplies to the relief effort. Wolesley North America, Ferguson's parent company, said it would send three tractor-trailers loaded with supplies to the affected areas. A fourth truck would carry nothing but water. Ferguson also said it would match employee donations to the Red Cross between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.

The International Sanitary Supply Assn. is also working to organize monetary and product donations to help the hurricane victims. The association—which consists of distributors, manufacturers and others in the cleaning industry—has partnered with Gifts in Kind International to supply necessities to the many victims that were left homeless. For more information, visit www.giftsinkind.org/katrina.asp.

For the latest updates on industry efforts to help the hurricane victims, go to www.inddist.com. To donate to the American Red Cross, go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP NOW.

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