Boeing Contributions to Hurricane Relief Top $210,000

Boeing has contributed a total of $210,444 in both employee and company donations to assist disaster relief efforts throughout the southeastern United States in the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, the company announced on Thursday.

According to Toni Bailey, vice president of Boeing’s Community and Education Relations group, employees all over the company responded soon after word of the first hurricane hit the news. "The people of Boeing have a long and generous tradition of helping others in need," Ms. Bailey said. "Our thoughts are with everyone who was affected by the hurricanes, and we hope our contributions will help with a safe and fast recovery."

To date, employees have donated just over $35,000 in voluntary personal contributions, which the company matched dollar-for-dollar. The Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company (ECF) has granted an additional $65,000. ECF is the world's largest employee-directed charitable organization of its kind, investing nearly $33 million per year in communities around the globe where Boeing employees live and work. Employees manage the funds locally at more than 60 Boeing sites and choose the community organizations that receive help.

Efforts to assist with disaster relief in the southeastern United States align with Boeing’s ongoing commitment to health and human services issues, including those related to emergencies and basic needs, in communities where the company has a presence. Boeing employs more than 6,500 people in Alabama and Florida, two states hardest hit by the recent hurricanes. In fact, several Boeing facilities in Florida were damaged as were employee homes.

In addition to matching individual employee gifts, Boeing is contributing an additional $75,000 to aid relief efforts. The majority of company, ECF and individual contributions will be directed to disaster areas in southeastern United States through the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. "This is a good example of the company and employees working together in partnership," noted Bailey.

Along with health and human services, The Boeing Company supports communities in these main areas: education, specifically early learning through 12th grade and higher education; arts and culture; and civic and environment. In addition to corporate charitable and in-kind investments, employees give to their local communities by participating in volunteer programs, gift matching programs, and ECF.

FMI: www.boeing.com