Over the last couple of weeks, fast-moving wildfires have swept through the Rogue Valley of Oregon, including the Medford community, where our Harry & David brand is located. Like so many other communities in Oregon, Washington, and California, this area has been devastated by the fires. With millions of acres burned and thousands of homes destroyed, to watch this unfold has been heart breaking.
We are incredibly grateful that we have not suffered any loss of life in the Harry & David family due to the deadly fires. But, so many of our colleagues and their neighbors have lost everything. Over the past few days, we have seen so many acts of kindness, including Airbnb supplying emergency housing for those affected and Columbia Sportswear matching employee donations. All help is good help. It's appreciated because it makes an impact.
How we are helping the Rogue Valley community
We have begun marshaling our resources to help our families and the broader Rogue Valley community as they begin the long and heartbreaking recovery from this tragedy. While our primary concern is to help our team members get back on their feet, we are also concerned for all the families enduring these challenges.
Locally, we have begun a drive for the collection of essential items, and we've also custom built 100 baskets to donate to families in need. There are so many ways to support folks in these affected areas. For our part, we have partnered with the Teresa McCormick Center, an I.R.C. Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organization that serves the needs of the community in Medford, Oregon.
Located on our Harry & David campus, the Teresa McCormick Center traces its origins and its name to a former Harry & David team member whose compassion led her to collect items for fellow team members in need. Throughout the year, the company supplies ongoing aid to the Center through both in-kind and financial support.
How you can help support the Rogue Valley
Internally, our Company, together with our team members across the country, is raising funds to help those affected through the Teresa McCormick Center. You can help, too, by donating to the Center. All funds donated to the Teresa McCormick Center will go directly to affected families, so we encourage you to take part, or find other ways to help those in need.
On our social media channels, we have received dozens of prayers, which we appreciate and are extremely thankful for. Our customers are our heartbeat, and in times of challenge, heroes emerge. Our hearts are with all of you who are enduring or will endure these challenges.
Thank you for your support,
Jim and Chris
* Teresa McCormick Center is a public charitable organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, donations to Teresa McCormick Center are considered tax deductible to the extent that IRS rules permit. If you have questions regarding the deductibility of your contribution, please consult with your personal tax advisor
AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder, CEO, and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.
