www.sdchamber.org

Chamber Members Provide Firestorm Relief

By Lisa Gesner

It's often said that in the case of a natural disaster, the true character of a community is exposed.   During San Diego's recent firestorm, the people and businesses of this region proved to be selfless, giving, empathetic and resilient.

Since the wildfires’ first impact, hundreds of local and multinational businesses have pitched in to help those displaced by the fires.  The Chamber is proud of it's many members who have given substantial time, funding, and resources to those affected by the wildfires, and would like to thank all businesses, emergency workers, firefighters, and volunteers who have helped out during this time of need.  Their generosity has not gone unnoticed.

AT&T wasted little time in offering over 2,000 wireless GoPhones to local residents, so fire evacuees would have a means of contacting loved ones and taking care of any needs that may arise while they were without phone services.   As they were through the Cedar and Paradise fires in 2003, AT&T was on-scene to offer the phones upon the opening of the one-stop assistance center at the Glassman Recreation Center in Rancho Bernardo, and several additional sites where residents could go for help in beginning the process of rebuilding.  The AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy arm of the communications icon, also donated $100,000 total to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California, half of which will go to the San Diego region. This funding will support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help provide food, supplies and shelter.

San Diego Gas & Electric, one of the Chamber's longest standing members, was faced with the task of restoring service to its nearly 80,000 customers who were without power at some point during the fires.  Over 750 SDG&E employees worked on efforts to restore service.  Sempra Energy also set up a staggering $5 million dollar relief fund to help customers and communities recover from the fires.  It is expected that half of this fund will go directly toward helping those who lost their homes with their energy needs as they rebuild.  The company also provided additional generators to help power Ramona's downed water treatment center, and to assist in getting the facilities up and running, providing clean, potable water for residents as quickly as possible.

Qualcomm has pledged $1.5 million to support local fire recovery and relief efforts.  Of this donation, $100,000 will go to the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross Chapter and $100,000 will go to Volunteer San Diego.  The remainder of the funding will go to numerous nonprofit relief and recovery organizations, through Qualcomm's corporate giving program, grants and donations.  Qualcomm also provided equipment and expertise to improve San Diego's "211" system, designed to better aid in getting emergency information out to the public during a crisis.

Bank of America announced an assistance plan that will allow customers to receive emergency credit increases on existing credit cards, defer or extend loan payments, and waive loan fees for those wishing to purchase a new home through the company's special mortgage program.  Bank of America will waive ATM user fees for noncustomers at ATMs across San Diego County, including a mobile unit set up at the Rancho Bernardo assistance center.  This is accompanied by a $1 million dollar donation by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, to aid fire evacuees and first responders.                     

Wells Fargo contributed a total of $500,000 dollars, half of which went to local chapters of the America Red Cross, the other half going to local agencies to assist specifically with relief and rebuilding efforts.  The company is also offering emergency unsecured loans of up to $25,000 for those who lost their homes in the fires, and assistance for existing loan and credit card customers.

These are just a few examples of the kind of corporate citizenship that we have come to expect from Chamber members.  The spirit of selflessness and giving that San Diego has come to be known for has never been so apparent as in recent times.  We are proud of and thankful for our member companies, who continue to work to make San Diego a better place. 

To make a donation to the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross, please visit www.sdarc.org/donate, and select option 2: San Diego/Imperial Counties Local Disaster Fund to support the Harris and Witch Creek wildfire relief efforts.  Or, you may mail a donation to American Red Cross, 3950 Calle Fortunada, San Diego, CA 92123.  Please note that you would like your donation to support Harris or Witch Creek wildfire relief.

To make a donation to the San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund, please visit www.sdfoundation.org.

AT&T volunteers offer assistance at Qualcomm Stadium.