Rising to Meet the Need

In June 2001, ConocoPhillips employees, contractors, their family members and retirees responded to a call to help neighbors in desperate need following the flooding that ravaged parts of Houston, Texas, as a result of Tropical Storm Allison. In just two days, ConocoPhillips volunteers developed a comprehensive community crisis response plan that has generated interest from other organizations.

A fleet of 55 buses ferried over 1,500 volunteers to flood relief sites. Some 800 volunteers cleaned 130 homes, 550 volunteers helped sort and distribute a mountain of donated items at the Goodwill warehouse, and some 200 volunteers helped clean up a youth residential treatment facility for abused and neglected children.

The massive relief effort involved procuring and organizing $75,000 worth of tools, cleaning supplies and personal safety equipment, as well as preparing and distributing 4,000 boxed lunches. It also required developing internal and external communication, homeowner notification, volunteer assignment, safety and emergency medical plans and procedures. Employees were given a day off with pay while they provided the much-needed assistance. In addition, ConocoPhillips contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with flood relief efforts and established a program for matching employee donations, which totaled $42,500.