Owners and managers of a business tend to become attached emotionally to the community in which the company is headquartered. The founders of organizations like Cane Bay Partners come to care a great deal about their employees, the people of the community, and the surrounding area. When disaster strikes, these individuals want to do whatever they can to help and make things easier for area residents.
The 2017 Hurricanes
This is the scenario that unfolded when two category 5 hurricanes hit the Caribbean island of St. Croix in September of 2017. Roofs were torn off, buildings were destroyed, and many people had to live without electrical power for weeks on end. The management consulting firm created a charitable organization connected with the business that would provide relief to area residents and help with recovery. Essential supplies like drinking water and generators were supplied and fundraising efforts began.
The U.S. Government’s Response
Although the island is a U.S. territory, the residents generally believed the government’s response was inadequate. This is a common theme when U.S. territories suffer natural disasters. The residents see much more attention paid to the states after hurricanes. They feel like they are left to deal with the aftermath without enough assistance. Nevertheless, these individuals are citizens of the United States and are frustrated with the relatively slow and insufficient response.
Nevertheless, online expressions of gratitude were made to the National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the help they were able to provide. Some of the services provided included medical treatment, drinking water distribution, generator installation, debris clearance, and roof tarping. Anyone interested in viewing a timeline of responses from various governmental agencies may take a look at the information provided by FEMA.
Additional Assistance
The island’s residents also benefited from charitable donations, volunteers from the mainland coming to help, and their own sense of community in helping each other pick up the pieces. The American Red Cross pitched in. Receiving supplies for survival and rebuilding was essential for moving forward, and the work hours provided by volunteers were greatly appreciated by the population.