The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left many parts of southeastern Appalachia in a state of devastation. The catastrophic storm destroyed homes, disrupted lives and forever altered landscapes across the region. As thousands of people now begin the long and hard task of rebuilding, Eastman is standing firm in its commitment to support the communities neighboring its global headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee.
“For more than 100 years, Appalachia has been the heart and home of Eastman,” said Mark Costa, Eastman board chair and chief executive officer. “As our communities recover and rebuild, we are dedicated to the long journey ahead.”
In the crucial days immediately following the hurricane, Eastman's primary focus was to ensure the safety and well-being of its team members. The company took swift action to make sure that team members directly impacted by the storm had the resources and support they much-needed in the immediate aftermath. This included quickly confirming the safety of its approximately 6,000 Kingsport-based team members and then working to secure lodging for those whose homes had been lost or damaged by the flood. The company also opened fully stocked showers for use by impacted team members and their families and provided cases of bottled waters for the many without water or electricity.
Helping the community
Eastman's commitment has extended beyond its own workforce to help address the immediate needs of the community. “We were focused on ensuring our people were safe, but we also quickly came together to figure out what we needed to do to help our communities, especially in those critical first hours,” said Paula Bulcao, director Eastman global public and community affairs. “We knew that we could work faster and extend our reach by joining forces with our vendors, local business partners and emergency service providers.”
The company has forged partnerships with local businesses to amplify their relief efforts. For instance, the Eastman Foundation matched a $100,000 donation from Food City to launch a fundraiser, with all proceeds supporting the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia disaster relief funds. Eastman has also teamed up with other organizations dedicated to relief efforts that have resulted in the delivery of thousands of hot meals and essential items for those affected by the hurricane.
Realizing the logistical challenges that accompany disaster relief, Eastman has also focused on securing bulk items and hard-to-get resources through its supply chain. By working with already established vendors and business partners, the company has provided a steady supply of critical items such as pallets of bottled water and cleaning supplies, air mattresses for first responders, personal protective equipment, large drum and storage totes, and first aid kits. The company was even able to secure a loading dock from one of its vendors to support the safe and efficient unloading of trucks delivering supplies to the Bristol Motor Speedway donation collection center. These efforts have helped streamline the distribution of aid, ensuring that essential supplies reach those in need without delay.
Continuing our support
Recovery will take time, but Eastman is dedicated to supporting the community throughout the process and being there for the long haul.
“As our region faces one of its greatest challenges, Eastman is unwavering in our commitment to give back to those who have supported us through the decades,” said Costa. “Eastman is here for as long as it takes to recover and rebuild what has been damaged or destroyed, because this is more than just a place to do business — this is Eastman’s home.”
