Words do not do justice to describe the devastation brought by Hurricane Harvey to the city of Houston and elsewhere on the Gulf Coast, just as photographs cannot fully capture the depth of the human heartache left in the storm’s wake. But nothing shines through the darkness of tragedy more brightly than human compassion.

Hurricane Harvey is a testament to what corporate America can achieve when it unites toward a greater good. It is a testament to what happens when competitors become allies and when small businesses and global conglomerates alike band together in the name of helping others.

In the days following the storm, companies across all sectors and across all corners of the country have continued to do their part to help in rescue and relief efforts—efforts that deserve to be recognized and serve as leading examples for other industry peers to follow. A few of those efforts are mentioned below:

Hurricane Harvey is a testament to what corporate America can achieve when it unites toward a greater good. It is a testament to what happens when competitors become allies and when small businesses and global conglomerates alike band together in the name of helping others.

Food and beverage industry

MillerCoors has sent more than 50,000 cans of drinking water to the American Red Cross for disaster relief.

Anheuser-Busch InBev sent more than 155,000 cans of drinking water.

The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottlers donated nearly 25,000 cases of water, milk, sports drinks, and other beverages to people affected by the storm.

PepsiCo provided its Aquafina purified drinking water to impacted communities.

Yogurt brand Chobani and cereal maker Kellogg’s loaded up truckloads of their products to provide to relief organizations to distribute to those in need.

Retail

Outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops deployed more than 80 boats to local, state, and federal agencies to support ongoing rescue efforts and donated truckloads of relief supplies totaling $40,000.

Kayak maker, KL Outdoor, partnered with Walmart by paying the shipping costs to send 2,000 kayaks to Texas.

Wal-Mart delivered more than 2,500 truckloads of supplies to the region.

Duracell tweeted that it is handing out free batteries to those impacted by the hurricane.

Gallery Furniture transformed two of its Houston-area showrooms into makeshift shelters for people and their pets.

Travel

Home-sharing service Airbnb waived its services fees through Sept. 25 for those in the affected areas to help those displaced by the storm find free housing.

Telecommunications

Verizon and AT&T offered to credit back the accounts of customers who exceed their data limit for a limited time for those impacted by the storm. Sprint and T-Mobile also offered unlimited services for a limited period to affected customers.

Oil and gas

Pioneer Natural Resources, an oil and gas exploration company, donated $100,000 to the Red Cross. The company also made one of its facilities in Victoria, TX, available for Texas Department of Public Safety and first responders.

Financial

Dallas-based Comerica Bank waived ATM fees for customers who use non-Comerica ATMs, as well as for non-customers who use its ATMs.

Many of the companies listed above have additionally made monetary donations and offered to match employee contributions. Dozens of leading global companies have made monetary donations of up to $1 million, or more. These companies include Apple, Coca-Cola, Disney, Home Depot, Walmart, Dow Chemical, Amazon, Whole Foods, and many more. And Verizon has pledged a staggering $10 million to relief efforts.

Compliance and ethics professionals often speak of doing the right thing, and leading by example. In support of our readers, subscribers, and friends affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Compliance Week is making a donation to Global Giving’s Harvey Relief Fund. We encourage everyone in the compliance community to find a way to support Texas in its time of need. Let’s show the world how the compliance community does what it does best: helps others.

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