The Home Depot Creates $1 million Weather Impact Fund

Calling this spring, “likely to be one of the worst springs in history in terms of storm damage and destruction,’’ CEO Frank Blake has announced that the company is stepping up to help communities ravaged by the storms recover.

The world's largest home improvement specialty retailer is headquartered in Vinings and The Home Depot Foundation is donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate relief needs in response to last week’s tornadoes that ripped through the Southeast.

The foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, also announced last Thursday that has created a $1 million weather impact fund to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the recent storms throughout the Southeast and Midwest, and in expectation of continuing violent storms throughout the spring season.

"This spring has seen an extraordinary spate of storms and tornadoes that have devastated many parts of the country,’’ Blake said. “We are a part of these communities and it is our responsibility to help – not only with the needs today, but as these communities start rebuilding." 

Midtown Patch reported that Atlantic Station is collecting items today to aid victims of the recent tornados in north Georgia and Alabama.

Through 6 p.m., representative from Atlantic Station’s management team will be collecting items in Central Park, as there is a need for dry goods, clothing (underwear and socks in particular), diapers, formula and other essentials.

Other area businesses and churches are also in the process of collecting items for those in need both home and abroad. Through May 13, continues its collection of shoes (no heels) for people in Africa.

And through the end of July, Vinings Church is sponsoring a community-wide Backpacks for Kids initiative to make sure children will be properly prepared for school next fall. The church is seeking backpacks (clear, if possible) filled with notebook paper (wide ruled), three-ring binder (half inch), pencils (10-pack), and portable pencil sharpeners.

The church is doing this after its recently successful drive when the Smyrna-Vinings area provided more than 2,000 coats. For more information and to find the nearest drop-off location, see here.