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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 2, 2005

Corporations pitching in after Katrina

By Ashley M. Heher
Associated Press

In Indianapolis, Eli Lilly & Co. employees load supplies and antibiotics bound for the Gulf Coast to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina.

MICHAEL CONROY | Associated Press

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Corporate America continued giving millions in supplies and money yesterday to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, with donations ranging from diapers to 10,000 oven-fresh pizzas.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that Americans have given more than $93 million in aid to Katrina victims, including more than $27 million from corporations.

The American Red Cross had received more than $72 million from corporations and individuals through Wednesday, and officials said donations were still pouring in.

"It has been a steady stream today, both at headquarters, at the help-now number (800-HELP-NOW) and our chapter sites around the country," Red Cross spokesman Ryland Dodge said yesterday.

Chronicle editor Stacy Palmer predicted the giving would continue.

"I think it got off to a somewhat slower start because it wasn't clear what the scope of the disaster was," she said. "Now that people are seeing what's going on, they're trying to mobilize as fast as they can."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said initial corporate donations would likely surpass $100 million.

In Houston, volunteers used 30 jumbo ovens to cook 10,000 personal-sized Papa John's pizzas for arriving Louisiana refugees.

"Everybody deserves a hot meal," Keith Sullins, president of Houston Pizza Venture, the city's largest Papa John's franchise, said in a statement.

Mortgage company Freddie Mac and its foundation announced they were donating $10 million to aid organizations. Coca-Cola Co. is donating $5 million.

Kimberly-Clark Corp. of Dallas donated $250,000 and nearly $350,000 in products, including diapers, baby wipes and bathroom tissue.

United Health Foundation of Minneapolis dedicated $10 million to disaster relief efforts. The not-for-profit foundation is funded by UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealth spokesman Mark Lindsay said his company hoped the announcement would encourage other businesses to donate resources.

"We just want to make sure that it was well-funded and there's a pool of money there," he said.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart has contributed $2 million to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and said its stores were collecting more. The world's largest retailer also created online message boards where customers could post notes to family members from in-store kiosks.

The service, launched yesterday morning, had 600 messages and 50,000 viewers by midafternoon.

"We're trying to link people to find their loved ones and know they're OK," said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien.

Many of the contributions so far have been from the pharmaceutical industry, including AstraZeneca, Merck, Wyeth, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson. The four combined to send more than $9 million in cash and supplies including antibiotics, insulin and toiletry kits to the affected areas.

Yesterday afternoon, a team of officials at Eli Lilly & Co. loaded a private jet with antibiotics, tetanus shots and insulin and took off for the devastated Gulf Coast.

"These are acute, lifesaving products," said Dr. Greg Larkin, director of corporate health services for the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company.