CLENDENIN, W.Va. — Natural gas companies throughout the state announced Tuesday a combined donation of over $350,000 to the America Red Cross West Virginia Region for recovery and disaster assistance efforts resulting from last week’s torrential flooding.
Bob Orndorff, Dominion Resources’ State Director of Public Affairs, notified the Red Cross of the gift today on behalf of the industry partners. He expected further funding to be on the way.
“We’re not done yet. $350,000 is just the accurate number that we have now,” he said. “Many other companies are matching their employees’ donations. From an industry perspective this thing will soar ultimately.”
Orndorff pleaded with not only companies but also citizens to step up in providing relief for many who have lost everything in the flooding.
“It’s important for all of us, not just the companies and corporations, who have the means to give back. I think individuals also need to be stepping up and making contributions to whatever cause they think is important to them.”
Orndorff, a member of the West Virginia Red Cross Board of Directors, said he got an aerial view of the damage on Tuesday and was shocked.
“Today I actually took the Red Cross in a helicopter on a tour of the entire state and I just don’t have words to describe it,” he said.
In addition to monetary contributions, Orndorff said many companies are also providing manpower to assist with the cleanup effort.
“Several companies, including my own, Dominion, have brought in employees to help with the volunteer efforts,” he said. “We’ve brought backhoes, dump trucks, manual labor to help the residents. When you drive up and down the roads and see the devastation, it’s just mind boggling. This is a tragedy that might go on for the next several years I suspect.”
The following companies have committed to providing assistance:
Antero Resources
Apex Pipeline Services
Blue Racer Midstream
Chevron Global Community Fund
Columbia Pipeline Group
CONSOL Energy
Crestwood Midstream Partners
Cunningham Energy
Dominion Resources
Energy Transportation/Applied Construction Solutions
Eureka Midstream
ExxonMobil and XTO Energy
Jackson Gas Company
Learned Leadership LLC
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Mountaineer Gas Company
Noble Energy
Ryan Environmental
Southwestern Energy
Stone Energy
For additional information, residents can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), or donate through Red Cross to the West Virginia Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word WVFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.