Wildfires in Victoria, Australia – February 2009
In February 2009, the worst wildfires in Australia’s history devastated the southern state of Victoria, taking lives and destroying homes north of the city of Melbourne. Fortunately, no employees in First Data’s Victoria office were directly impacted by the devastation. However, several customers lost everything in the blaze. In response, employees in Sydney and Melbourne came together to raise over $14,000 to support the Australian Red Cross relief efforts. In addition, First Data matched the generous employee contributions one-for-one and made a corporate gift resulting in more than $40,000 to support the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the fires.
Hurricane Ike in Houston, Texas – September 2008
In September 2008, Hurricane Ike devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States and affected many of our First Data employees. Fortunately, our employees were uninjured and were eventually able to return to work. To help those who were less fortunate, we partnered with the organization Rebuilding Together-Houston, to help the most vulnerable victims rebound from the storm. Employees donated to the First Data Foundation and received a two-for-one match. First Data also gave an additional corporate contribution of $25,000. As a result, a total of $45,000 was contributed to help rebuild the homes and lives of Houston’s low-income, elderly and disabled.
Earthquake in China – May 2008
While the purpose of First Data’s disaster-giving program is to aid our employees and clients in times of need, sometimes a tragedy is so epic in scope and scale that we lend a helping hand, even if no one in our First Data family is directly impacted. The May 2008 earthquake in China is one such example. When the devastating earthquake hit the Sichuan Province in China, First Data collaborated with UNICEF, the leading international children’s aid organization, to provide immediate and long-term assistance to victims. More than 400 employees across the globe raised over $53,000. First Data matched the employee donations two-for-one and donated an additional $50,000, for a total contribution of more than $200,000.