Outdoor industry steps up for Harvey
We're heartened by the brands sending equipment and money to Hurricane Harvey victims and first responders in Texas.
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The flooding from Hurricane Harvey is like nothing Texas has ever seen. The full scale of the destruction is likely not yet known. We’re in the perfect position to help, and many outdoor industry brands have stepped up to the plate to send boats, supplies, and cash.
Here are a few we’ve heard of who are helping. Know of more? Drop us a line or leave a comment on this story to help get the word out.
Confluence Outdoor sent dozens of high-capacity Perception and Wilderness Systems kayaks, paddles, and life jackets to Harris County, Texas, this week to help first responders transport supplies and rescue people and animals from flooded homes.
Goal Zero sent a truck of solar panels and high-capacity battery packs to Houston–along with a crew to distribute the supplies.
Kammok, an Austin, Texas-based company, donated 100 percent of their proceeds Wednesday to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and will donate proceeds from its Texas flag hammocks moving forward.
“Texas family, we are behind you,” the brand wrote on Instagram. “Find strength in one another, find hope in acts of service, and find refuge in our brave service men and women. Harvey is not yet over, but we are in this together. We are Texan, we are strong.”
Grand Trunk will donate 100 percent of proceeds from its Texas flag hammock to relief efforts from now through the end of September.
“Don’t Mess With Texas,” Grand Trunk wrote on Instagram. “Harvey didn’t get the memo and now it’s our turn to fight back… At Grand Trunk, Texas has a huge place in our hearts. In fact, Houston is where one of our Co-Founders calls home. So, naturally, we need to support.”
SwampButt Underwear will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from their men’s underwear to the Brazoria County SPCA through Sept. 7
“Our county is just south of Houston where tens of thousands of residents have lost their homes, belongings and even their dogs and cats,” company owner Harold Nicoll said in a press release. “Many pets were abandoned during the storm. Others are dropped at the shelter because their owners cannot evacuate with them. Our shelter is very stressed and can really use your help. If you can only spare a dollar, we thank you for it. Every little bit helps.”
Oskar Blues and the Ball Corporation teamed up to form CAN’d Aid, and canned filtered water this week instead of beer to send to Harvey victims.
YETI, a Texas company, will donate all proceeds from sales today, Friday, Sept. 1, to help with relief efforts.
KEEN teamed up with All Hands Volunteers to identify areas of greatest need. They originally pledged to match donations up to $25,000, but met their goal so quickly they doubled the offer to $50,000.
Implus, in partnership with Texas-based Academy Sports + Outdoors and Delivering Good to donate 60,000 pairs of socks to the Hurricane Harvey Relief effort.
Right now, what the Houston area needs most is money to fund relief efforts. The Outdoor Industry Association suggests donating to: American Red Cross, United Way of Greater Houston, Direct Relief, and Global Giving.
“As we communicated after the devastating earthquake in Nepal several years ago, while the outdoor industry is often driven to donate our highly functional gear in crises like this, it is clear that cash donations to well-vetted and well-qualified organizations are by far the most effective way to help at the moment,” OIA wrote in a post about helping outdoor industry brands and members in the Houston area who are in need. “The process of getting water, food, supplies and shelter into the right hands is complex, but with these organizations’ expertise, people affected by Harvey in and around Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. Cash donations are by far the most direct and effective way to help at this moment. We are looking into sources for gear donations and will follow up with the OIA membership with more information.”
