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After the Storm

Businesses find ways besides cash to help after hurricanes hit

Austin Business Journal - by Kiah Collier Staff Writer

On the Thursday after Hurricane Ike ravished the Texas coast, racking up an estimated $9.8 billion in damages, HigherTech CEO Jeff McAdams and four of his employees

gathered supplies in two trucks and drove toward the aftermath.

The group put in 200 man-hours that weekend clearing debris and moving a few dozen trees from yards on the street where McAdams’ mother-in-law lives in Friendswood. When the group arrived, the street looked “like a war zone,” McAdams recalls.

McAdams thinks it’s important that businesses practice philanthropy by giving money and by contributing their time and expertise.

“I think it’s important to do both,” says McAdams, whose Austin-based recruiting and consulting firm has a history of doing so. “I think business owners from small businesses all the way up to the Fortune 500 companies have somewhat of a responsibility to give back and be good stewards with their money.”

The 40-employee firm has volunteered for and donated to various local organizations, including the Children’s Advocacy Center and Zachary Scott Theater’s Stage Hands program.

Although McAdams says it’s often easier to write a check than invest time, the timing of the storm and the personal nature of the project made it more appropriate to volunteer. He’s never regretted contributing his company’s resources to philanthropic causes, saying it’s better when people can see the results of their efforts.

“From a company and personal perspective, we always like to give back,” he says. “Lots of times what we find is when you give money to organizations, it’s helpful, but we like to help from a personal perspective.”

Many charities that coordinate philanthropic efforts, including emergency cleanup after natural disasters, depend on businesses and private individuals for monetary donations.

Although the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas’ main donor base consists of individuals, trying times bring out businesses’ giving sides.

Of the 2,000 new donors who gave to the Capital Area Food Bank after Hurricane Ike, 60 were companies, says Kerri Qunell, vice president of communications.

IT Freedom was among those first-timers.

The business raised and donated more than $4,000 dollars to the Capital Area Food Bank, which equates to about $20,000 of food, given the organization’s buying power and funding.

Qunell said the organization has a higher percentage of work-related volunteers than work-related donors.

IT Freedom owner and President Carey Jung says the company hasn’t had much of a philanthropic tradition since 2005, when it helped set up Internet access for Hurricane Katrina evacuees staying in Austin. But after Ike, some of his employees asked whether the company would be willing to match the money they raised.

The effort has sparked the company’s interest in future hands-on community involvement, Jung says.

“I think that’s a much more sincere commitment because you’re actually committing your labor and sweat rather than just writing a check,” Jung says. “It gets everyone involved, and I think employees really feel good about themselves and the company when they’re doing that sort of thing.”