A little over a week ago, I wrote a blog post about the Boulder flash floods and the confusing nature of deciphering what is true and false on social media during this time of crisis. Gathering correct information was just one of the many issues citizens were faced with though. As the storm has subsided, residents are working to rebuild what the floods damaged and destroyed. Businesses around the area have now been presented with an interesting PR opportunity to lend a helping hand as the city works to rehabilitate itself.
During this hard time, companies are showing their empathy and dedication to their customers. According to The Denver Post, the American Red Cross and Save the Children are working together to assist the children who have been affected by the floods. The two have paired up to create child-friendly areas in the evacuation shelters. Ocean Prime, a local restaurant, is adding an appetizer to their menu that will donate sales to flood relief. Office Evolution, which provides virtual-office and executive suites, is helping with post-flood efforts by opening its business to entrepreneurs who are in a bind due to the flooding of highways and work buildings.
The list goes on. U.S. Bank will donate $50,000 to the American Red Cross and is also presenting customers using local ATMs the opportunity to donate to these efforts. Bellco Credit Union is even going so far as to help with loans or credit-card payments that are unable to be paid in full due to the recent events. Another impressive act of good faith is the generosity Gold’s Gym in Loveland is offering. They are allowing residents whose homes were damaged to use their showers, towels, toiletries and locker room facilities. Gold’s Gym is also helping to collect clothes to be donated to the Red Cross. If the list from The Denver Post isn’t convincing enough, the Boulder County Business Report details still more companies acting in good faith during this time. The affected citizens will remember these philanthropic acts, and even those not affected by the storm will remember the companies who came to the aid.
As seen with the varying examples, anything helps. Donating money may be the simplest path to choose, however, what I found most impressive during this time were those companies willing to offer a service. Among the many selfless efforts taking place, the ones I found to be the most touching include Gold’s Gym offering up their amenities and American Red Cross and Save the Children working to create child-friendly areas in evacuation shelters. While efforts to assist citizens during the floods were extremely important, companies’ efforts post-flood are just as crucial as the citizens’ work to rebuild their lives. I am interested to see how these socially responsible actions will pan out for these companies. I believe great PR will be a pleasant result and hope that these companies who came to the aid will get great coverage for their efforts.
Interested in aiding those who have been affected by the floods? Click here to see how you can help.
For another read on socially responsible companies see this Communique PR Blog post: