Piedmont Natural Gas Donates $50,000 to the American Red Cross

In a presentation Thursday May 5, 2011 Piedmont Natural Gas representatives gathered with employees, volunteers and Board Members of the Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross to make a $25,000 donation to the local chapter. Piedmont Natural gas is donating $50,000 throughout the state of North Carolina with $25,000 going to the Highlands Chapter located in Fayetteville, NC.

Jaz Tunnell, Community Relations Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas Company presented the check stating, "We know the recent storms have tragically touched the lives of so many across the Sandhills region. Our hearts go out to them as they rebuild their lives and communities. The good people in the Sandhills are our friends and our neighbors; we realize the effort to rebuild will be both difficult and painful. Hopefully, this assistance will help the process along in a meaningful way."

The Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross provides life saving services to Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, and Hoke counties. In 2010 the chapter provided over 6,000 services to military members and their families, issued over 15,000 certifications in life saving services and assisted over 850 victims of home fires in the local region. Across the state the American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to provide disaster relief to victims of the April 16 tornadoes. Over 200,000 meals and snacks have been distributed, over 1,400 nights of shelter provided and over 10,000 comfort and clean up kits distributed to those in need.

"We are thrilled to be the recipient of such a generous donation from Piedmont Natural Gas. We know that as our teams work tirelessly across the state and around the country our needed services are only possible because of dedicated financial partners like them." stated Victoria Raleigh, Executive Director of the American Red Cross - Highlands Chapter.