11-14-2007, 10:10 PM
Hanesbrands Inc., the parent of Hanes and Champion, has responded to Tropical Storm Noel by providing immediate and ongoing assistance to Dominican Republic communities where the company has seven manufacturing facilities.
In total, Hanesbrands has authorized nearly $100,000 in company funds to help meet the need for aid in the Dominican Republic, including more than $35,000 in direct assistance to its employees and the community and a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross.
Local company officials have worked with its employees, the government and community organizations to determine how and where to provide support, which has included fuel, food, water, roofing tiles and bedding.
As a result of the storm that came ashore on Oct. 28, more than 78,000 Dominican residents remain in temporary shelters. Immediately after the storm, more than one-third of the country was without electrical power, and transportation was hindered due to the collapse of bridges and other roadway obstacles.
"This was a terrible situation for our employees and their communities because there was limited access to even the most basic supplies in the days during and after the storm," said Gerald Evans, Hanesbrands executive vice president, chief global supply chain officer. "We are fortunate to have dedicated employees who have committed themselves to helping communities cope with the aftermath of this disaster."
During the height of the storm, Hanesbrands representatives prepared more than 3,000 hot meals and provided more than 11,500 bottles of water for residents staying in community shelters.
Hanesbrands manufacturing facilities are located in Santo Domingo, Bonao, San Pedro and Santiago, and all were fully operational in the day after the storm due to the commitment of its employees.
"We are impressed by the professionalism and dedication of our employees throughout the Dominican Republic," Evans said. "We want to make sure that we honor their commitment to us by helping see the country through the challenges of Noel."
More than 175 of the company's 7,800 Dominican Republic employees registered significant losses due to the storm and its aftermath. Hanesbrands representatives, led by Armando Zelaya, plant operations director for Hanesbrands Dos Rios Textiles in Bonao, and other members of the management team, visited employee homes to identify how the company could provide assistance.
In addition, the company:
"¢ Secured a donation of over-the-counter medications and fluids from its health insurance provider<br />
"¢ Provided the funds to purchase hundreds of mattresses, pillows and sheet sets for employees who lost their beds due to flooding and mudslides<br />
"¢ Distributed nearly 2,000 corrugated metal roofing tiles to repair homes<br />
"¢ Authorized the immediate donation of $20,000 worth of clothing and medicine to employees and the community.
The company will continue to contribute funds where there are areas of need.
"We are committed as an organization to focus on life's basic necessities and the fundamental needs of the people in our communities across the world," said Chris Fox, Hanesbrands vice president, corporate social responsibility. "Our relationships with people throughout the Dominican Republic have enabled us to make significant contributions to the community, and we hope we have been able to provide some solace to everyone facing these great challenges."
In total, Hanesbrands has authorized nearly $100,000 in company funds to help meet the need for aid in the Dominican Republic, including more than $35,000 in direct assistance to its employees and the community and a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross.
Local company officials have worked with its employees, the government and community organizations to determine how and where to provide support, which has included fuel, food, water, roofing tiles and bedding.
As a result of the storm that came ashore on Oct. 28, more than 78,000 Dominican residents remain in temporary shelters. Immediately after the storm, more than one-third of the country was without electrical power, and transportation was hindered due to the collapse of bridges and other roadway obstacles.
"This was a terrible situation for our employees and their communities because there was limited access to even the most basic supplies in the days during and after the storm," said Gerald Evans, Hanesbrands executive vice president, chief global supply chain officer. "We are fortunate to have dedicated employees who have committed themselves to helping communities cope with the aftermath of this disaster."
During the height of the storm, Hanesbrands representatives prepared more than 3,000 hot meals and provided more than 11,500 bottles of water for residents staying in community shelters.
Hanesbrands manufacturing facilities are located in Santo Domingo, Bonao, San Pedro and Santiago, and all were fully operational in the day after the storm due to the commitment of its employees.
"We are impressed by the professionalism and dedication of our employees throughout the Dominican Republic," Evans said. "We want to make sure that we honor their commitment to us by helping see the country through the challenges of Noel."
More than 175 of the company's 7,800 Dominican Republic employees registered significant losses due to the storm and its aftermath. Hanesbrands representatives, led by Armando Zelaya, plant operations director for Hanesbrands Dos Rios Textiles in Bonao, and other members of the management team, visited employee homes to identify how the company could provide assistance.
In addition, the company:
"¢ Secured a donation of over-the-counter medications and fluids from its health insurance provider<br />
"¢ Provided the funds to purchase hundreds of mattresses, pillows and sheet sets for employees who lost their beds due to flooding and mudslides<br />
"¢ Distributed nearly 2,000 corrugated metal roofing tiles to repair homes<br />
"¢ Authorized the immediate donation of $20,000 worth of clothing and medicine to employees and the community.
The company will continue to contribute funds where there are areas of need.
"We are committed as an organization to focus on life's basic necessities and the fundamental needs of the people in our communities across the world," said Chris Fox, Hanesbrands vice president, corporate social responsibility. "Our relationships with people throughout the Dominican Republic have enabled us to make significant contributions to the community, and we hope we have been able to provide some solace to everyone facing these great challenges."