How US companies help Sandy victims, survivors, aid recovery

Superstorm Hurricane Sandy has brought out the best in U.S. corporations. Here are some of the companies and some of the ways airlines, car companies, banks and others are assisting with the recovery from the worst storm damage in American history —

Nissan and Infiniti — are offering steeply discounted employee pricing and special financing with deferred payments to people in the designated FEMA disaster area who have an insurance claim on their current vehicle due to the storm. The offer is valid Nov. 1, 2012 through Jan. 2, 2013, and allows buyers to take advantage of special pricing on new 2013 Nissan and Infiniti models and is available at local Infiniti retailers. Details about the pricing and finance programs are available on the Nissan and Infiniti websites.

General Motors — is offering an additional $500 toward the purchase or lease of any Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac, also to customers in designated FEMA disaster areas.

Hertz — has frozen rental car rates to pre-Sandy, and is working with insurance companies to provide replacement vehicles to victims of the storm. Hertz also is moving vehicles to the Northeast, where the need for and demand for vehicles has increased to replace storm-damaged transportation.

Fisker — This boutique manufacturer of hybrid electric cars is helping with disaster relief efforts for the 500,000 people living in the Delmarva region by turning its Wilmington factory into a safe harbor for Delmarva Power utility trucks and repair crews. More than 350 personnel from as far away as Florida are manning nearly 300 utility and tree-trimming trucks stationed in the 40 acre parking lot at the Fisker Wilmington Assembly Plant since Monday. This has been their home base as crews have been working to restore power and clear roads. Tree removal crews are in from Pennsylvania, and Florida Power & Light sent crews to help restore power.

American Airlines and American Eagle — are partnering with the American Red Cross to aid people affected by Hurricane Sandy.Members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program can support relief efforts by donating to the American Red Cross to help provide victims with shelter, food and other assistance. Through Nov. 30, 2012, AAdvantage members will earn a one-time award of 250 AAdvantage miles for a minimum donation of $50, or 500 AAdvantage miles for a donation of $100 or more to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

United Airlines — is supporting the the American Red Cross, Americares and Feeding America to provide aid to those affected by super storm Sandy on the East Coast and Midwest. The United Airlines Foundation will donate up to a total of $50,000 to match donations from United customers and co-workers to the partner organizations. In addition, United is also offering MileagePlus bonus award miles for cash donations to these organizations. MileagePlus members who give a minimum of $50 will receive 250 bonus miles, and those who contribute $100 or more will receive 500 bonus miles.The airline is committing up to 5 million miles for contributions to support this initiative.

Delta Airlines — is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. This donation is in addition to Delta’s long-standing agreement with the American Red Cross to provide complimentary cargo and passenger capacity, if needed, to help move relief supplies and workers to and from disaster areas around the world. In addition, Delta customers can donate SkyMiles to the American Red Cross through Delta’s SkyWish program.

JP Morgan, Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo — These banks have waived late fees for customers in storm-ravaged areas, through November 1st.

Thanks to all the US companies — and most of all to First Responders everywhere — for helping victims of Superstorm Sandy, and the slow and painful recovery.

photo courtesy Black Book

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