Cubic Contributions Help Katrina Survivors

On August 29, the world watched as Hurricane Katrina, the third most powerful storm of the 2005 season, carved a path of destruction along the Central Gulf coast.

The Category 4 storm left an enormous death toll and staggering damages in excess of $200 billion.   Most of those who could escape the storm-ravaged areas made their way north to the Houston Astrodome, local hotels and the Dallas Convention Center, where the American Public Transportation Association  was slated to host the transit industry’s largest trade show and exposition.

After learning that the show would go on as planned, many Cubic employees  wondered how they could turn show time into a time to help in the relief effort.  

Danny Cruz and Tim Dalziel, shipping and receiving specialists at Cubic’s San Diego headquarters, set up a crate in the main building’s break room and asked for donations of clothing, toys, non-perishable food items,  toiletries, first aid supplies, blankets — any goods that could make a difference to stranded hurricane survivors.  In a matter of days the room was filled to capacity with donations bound for the North Dallas Salvation Army. 

Witness to the overwhelming compassion for those affected by the tragedy was the steady stream of contributions that poured in on a daily basis, including 20 new teddy bears contributed by Cubic programs administrator Kathy Griffin. 

The enormous crate of donations was packed along with Cubic’s exhibit and bound for the Dallas Convention Center. Ken Robinson, Production Supervisor of the North Dallas Salvation Army, recently expressed his thanks for the shipment, which was taken to Dallas Disaster Recovery shelters for distribution.

In the days leading up to the conference Hurricane Rita targeted the Gulf coast, sending more evacuees to the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Disaster Recovery Centers were set up at seven centers in major cities and at 19 temporary centers in East Texas communities to provide centralized locations for   victims affected by the hurricanes to obtain aid and to talk face-to-face with recovery specialists.  This was where aid was needed the most and where Cubic generosity, teddy bears and all, reached those in need.