BOTETOURT – Two local companies are providing aid to Haiti after the devastating earthquake rocked the small island nation late last week.
Altec Inc. announced this week it will be contributing equipment and related services to aid in the earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti, and Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic region is contributing to relief for the earthquake victims and giving customers and employees an easy way to join in the relief effort.
Altec plans to send truck-mounted aerial lifts and specialty equipment to Haiti to assist in the restoration of critical services, including power and communication links.
Altec has a plant at Botetourt Center at Greenfield where employees assembled some of the trucks that will be sent to Haiti.
Kroger customers can donate their change up to the next even dollar amount or add any amount to their total bill when they checkout at any of the 127 Kroger stores in the company’s Mid-Atlantic region, which includes the Kroger a Botetourt Commons in Daleville and others in and around Roanoke.
Coin boxes in the stores also will be used to collect change.
This special campaign for Haiti relief continues through Saturday, Jan. 30, according to an announcement by Kroger officials.
All contributions made at Kroger will be donated to the American Red Cross International Response Fund designated for Haitian Earthquake Relief. For more information, call 540 546-3629.
“At a time like this, we are committed to contributing and assisting those who were so ravaged by this disaster,” said Lee Styslinger III, president and CEO of Altec. “Our company has a long history of helping those in need and we feel fortunate to be in a position to provide equipment and support to help expedite the restoration process.”
Altec’s contribution is comprised of various sized aerial lifts that can perform a wide range of support including power and communication line restoration. Re-establishing the electrical grid will help provide critical services identified by local government agencies in Haiti including water purification and distribution.
The equipment Altec is providing will also help restore essential emergency communication capabilities.
“This disaster is devastating and difficult to comprehend, but we recognize relief efforts must be undertaken as soon as possible to limit further tragedy”, said Styslinger. “We are working closely with the appropriate United States government agencies and the U.S. military to ensure our equipment and support arrives quickly and is put to work immediately to aid those in need.”