Aflac, Amazon.com, Other Companies Contribute to Relief Efforts in Japan
Numerous North American businesses are chipping in to help Japan recover from the deadly earthquake and tsunami that hit March 11.
• Columbus, Ga.-based Aflac, the largest insurer in Japan, has pledged about $1.2 million to the International Red Cross for disaster relief.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Japanese people during this very difficult time,” Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. “We stand ready to assist in the healing process and are pledging these funds to ensure that basic needs are cared for during this crisis.”
• Toronto-based TD Bank has donated close to $100,000 to the International Red Cross. By number of branches, TD is the sixth largest bank in North America.
• Houston-based Spark Energy will donate $5,000 to Japanese relief efforts, plus $1 for every person who “likes” one of its Facebook pages by the end of March, up to $25,000.
“There are going to be a lot of people in need,” said Pamela Maxwell, vice president of community affairs at Spark Energy.
The company provides energy in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, California, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana and Michigan.
• New York-based Time Warner Cable will provide free calls to Japan for its digital phone customers through April 15.
Glenn Britt, chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable, said he hopes this program “removes a small measure of worry from our customers.”
• Seattle-based online retailer Amazon.com is working with the International Red Cross to help collect money to help earthquake and tsunami victims. On the company’s sites, visitors will find a donation box for Red Cross contributions.
“While the toll of this disaster is only beginning to be understood, the greatest priority for the American Red Cross and its humanitarian partners is to prepare to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those in need,” Amazon.com said on its website.
“Your financial contribution will help them with these efforts.”
• Mountain View, Calif.-based search engine Google created a page dedicated to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The page features a “person finder,” maps, transportation updates and other resources.
• Rochester, N.Y.-based eye care company Bausch & Lomb has set up a disaster relief plan.
“Our colleagues on the ground in Japan and in our headquarters here in the U.S. are assessing needs and will be collaborating with relief efforts to determine how we can be of greatest assistance with expertise, products or other forms of assistance,” CEO Brent Saunders said.
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