After immediately responding to the recent terrorist attacks with a shipment of electrical supplies delivered directly to ground zero on September 12, Colonial Electric Supply, an electrical distributor based in King of Prussia, Pa., is taking its charity one step further. The company, which has seven branches serving Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, has committed to a yearlong plan for assisting the Red Cross relief efforts for victims of the disaster.
“We delivered materials like dust masks, goggles, gloves, tools, and cord sets to an emergency drop off in Philadelphia where rescuers were waiting to take these supplies to New York City which is only 90 miles away,” said Peter Bellwoar, Colonial’s vice president of marketing. “The $5,000 worth of material seemed like a drop in the bucket. So we challenged ourselves to come up with more.”
With the help of many of Colonial’s 250 employees, the company developed a comprehensive relief plan. Colonial will donate 1% of its October “through-stock” sales to the American Red Cross relief efforts. It is promoting this message with the help of Pat Croce, former 76ers Basketball President and Philadelphia fitness guru. Croce’s own victim aid program called “Raise a million, Wave a million” urges Philadelphia area businesses and residents to help him raise a million dollars and wave a million flags to show the city’s support. During October, Colonial’s on-hold audio messages will feature the voice of Pat Croce to remind Colonial’s customers of the 1% sales donation.
Colonial will also match all employee Red Cross donations 100% made from October through December 2001. In addition, the company will hold a blood drive for its employees and customers in Spring 2002.
