Several companies in Orange County are donating to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The companies include:
Orange-based subprime lender Ameriquest Capital Corp. is providing $3 million to HomeAid America Inc., based in Costa Mesa, to build housing for people displaced by Katrina. Construction on the first units is expected to start within 90 days in Houston where many people have been relocated. Meanwhile, Ameriquest units Ameriquest Mortgage Co., AMC Mortgage Services, Argent Mortgage Co., Town and Country Credit, and Long Beach Acceptance Corp., have jointly given $5 million to hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts. The companies sent seven truckloads of urgent supplies to Louisiana and Mississippi and raised about $70,000 from fans at the Ameriquest 300 Nascar Busch Series auto race at California Speedway for the Red Cross of California.
Newport Beach-based Downey Financial Corp. donated $1 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
Fluor Corp., based in Aliso Viejo, gave $100,000 to American Red Cross and United Way hurricane relief efforts. In addition, Fluor employees worldwide will contribute funds, with the company pledging to match 50% of employee contributions.
Irvine-based Solafide Inc. is sending a truck with 6,600 cases of Cup Ramen noodles to the Gulf Coast. The cases will provide 79,200 meals. The value of the gift is estimated at about $18,500.
Irvine-based CorVel Corp. introduced a disaster response program for its customers, patients and associates in the Gulf Coast area. The company, which provides workers’ compensation, health and auto insurance services, is offering mobile services for processing medical billing from anywhere in the disaster area. A toll-free call center in Coral Springs, Fla., was set up to handle claims and questions. CorVel said its New Orleans and Biloxi, Miss., offices were shuttered by the hurricane. The company also is providing food, water and shelter to those affected by the storm.
Microsemi Corp. in Irvine has pledged $100,000 on behalf of its employees to the American Red Cross and America’s Second Harvest. The funds will help support the victims and aid in reconstruction of areas devastated by the hurricane.
Orange County Rescue Mission is spearheading OperationOC, a $2.6 million campaign to rescue hurricane victims in partnership with local public and private organizations. OC Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Campbell, OC Sheriff Mike Carona, County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, South Orange County Community College Chancellor Raghu P. Mathur, and OC Rescue Mission President Jim Palmer and OperationOC’s co-chairman are involved in the project. The campaign aims to help in the long-term care of the first 100 displaced families expected to arrive in OC. An Operation OC advance team is in Amarillo, Texas, and Dallas, talking to families traveling to OC.
Fisher & Phillips LLP’s Irvine office said it established a foundation to provide financial assistance to the 28 attorneys and staff members in its New Orleans office displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the storm’s aftermath.
