Nationwide Insurance Foundation grant to aid disaster relief in North Carolina, other affected states
$350,000 to help victims of recent tornadoes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2011
Contact:
Elizabeth Giannetti 614-249-7705
giannee@nationwide.com
Media Relations Hotline 614-249-6349
Raleigh, NC — To assist victims of the most recent band of tornadoes that swept through North Carolina and other affected states, including Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Virginia, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation announced today a $350,000 donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The Nationwide Insurance Foundation has designated $250,000 of the total donation to North Carolina, where 62 tornadoes affected the region.
“These tragedies hit close to home,” said Lee Morton, Regional Vice President for Nationwide Insurance in North Carolina. “With a regional headquarters in Raleigh, these storms have had a profound impact on our own associates and the many customers of Nationwide and Allied Insurance.”
In early 2011, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation Trustees approved a grant for $1,050,000 to the American Red Cross, with $700,000 going to the National Disaster Relief Fund and $350,000 going to 18 chapters across the country in communities with a large presence of Nationwide associates. The Triangle Chapter in Raleigh received $30,000 of the $350,000.
“We’re hopeful that other corporate citizens with the means will choose to support the American Red Cross in helping people in our region rebuild their lives,” said Morton.
The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will help meet immediate needs of victims of the recent tornadoes, providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean up kits and other assistance for families and communities as they begin to rebuild their lives. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 mobile donation.
Meanwhile, Nationwide claims associates have been working through the weekend to help policyholders impacted by the storms. In North Carolina, more than 1,700 claims have been received. Customers who need to file a claim should contact their local agent or call the Nationwide claims hotline at 1-800-421-3535 or the Allied claims hotline at 1-800-282-1446.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to
victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches
lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports
military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable
organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and
the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more
information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About the Nationwide Insurance Foundation
The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is an independent corporation funded
by contributions from Nationwide companies including Nationwide Insurance
and Nationwide Financial. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Insurance
Foundation has committed more than $270 million since 2000 to help
nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and
their families live and work. Just as Nationwide supports its customers
in their moment of need, the company’s involvement in its home
communities is focused on supporting organizations that help people
facing critical or immediate need.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
