Domtar Donates to Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts

The waters have receded after the record flooding of Hurricane Florence, but many families in North and South Carolina still face the extraordinary challenge of recovering and rebuilding. Domtar (Montreal, Canada) announced on Oct. 9, 2018 that they are doing their part to help people in affected communities through diaper donations and other assistance as Hurricane Florence relief efforts continue.

The company said it is meeting needs in coastal and inland areas through its Comfort and Care program and an ongoing partnership with Good360, a global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving. The partnership has enabled the company to deliver more than 850,000 diapers for adults and infants to agencies in storm-ravaged areas as part of our region’s Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

"We know that we can’t solve all of the problems families are facing, but we are able to help by providing personal hygiene products," said Heather Stowe, Domtar’s corporate social responsibility manager. "We hope that these donations can meet an essential need for families and children and allow them to focus resources on their recovery. We will continue to look for opportunities to support them in the coming weeks."

Partners such as Diaper Bank of North Carolina and agencies in Myrtle Beach and Dillon County, South Carolina have been distributing the donated diapers.

"Maintaining personal health and hygiene is a vital yet often overlooked need following a disaster the magnitude of Hurricane Florence," said Michelle Old, executive director of Diaper Bank of North Carolina. "As the only statewide diaper bank in North Carolina, we have been on the front lines to provide diapers, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence supplies, toilet paper and underwear. Domtar Personal Care has been a crucial partner in these Hurricane Florence relief efforts, embracing the importance of basic comfort and dignity by donating two truckloads of supplies."

Product donations, as well as items collected at local Hurricane Florence relief drives, went directly to storm-stricken areas in 17 counties.

"Domtar contacted us in advance of the storm’s landfall to see how they could assist. Their help allowed us to plan ahead and ready an immediate response to storm victims," said Old. "After delivering over a million diapers in a single week, our next task is to sustain support over the upcoming months as individuals and families work to resettle and rebuild their lives. We continue to be grateful to Domtar for the ongoing support and solidarity in our mission to deliver dignity to the residents of our state."

Savannah McBride, senior financial analyst at the company's Raleigh office, is originally from Morehead City, North Carolina, which is in a coastal area that was hit hard by the storm. She organized a supply drive at work, with plans to drive the supplies to Morehead City. However, McBride’s colleagues donated so generously that she couldn’t fit everything in her car. In a show of goodwill, a local courier company agreed to help transport the Hurricane Florence relief supplies to Morehead City, free of charge.