In response to the devastating tornadoes that recently hit Georgia and Alabama, Southwire’s Project GIFT donated more than $14,000 toward disaster relief efforts. 

According to the New York Times, powerful tornadoes ripped through the two states during the night on March 25, killing at least six people, downing power lines and trees and shredding residential neighborhoods. Some of the worst destruction hit Newnan, a city located in Coweta County with roughly 35,000 people about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta and, in Alabama, some of the worst destruction hit Calhoun County, located between Birmingham and the Georgia state line. Many Southwire employees live in both of these affected areas.

“Even though Southwire does not have facilities in Coweta or Calhoun County, many employees, such as myself, live in those areas and saw or experienced destruction directly,” said Paige Bird, Southwire corporate communication specialist. “In the wake of devastation, Southwire stepped up and provided necessary tools and monetary donations to organizations that needed them most. Being able to support our company’s commitment to give back to the places we live and work first-hand was an incredibly meaningful experience.”

Pictured Above (L-R):

Jason Pollard, VP of Talent Acquisition & Communications at Southwire
Representative from the Newnan Police Department

Paige Bird, Corporate Communication Specialist at Southwire 

The Project GIFT disaster relief focused on distributing chainsaws, used to clean-up the affected cities, and monetary donations to both locations. In total, $10,000 worth of chainsaws were donated to the Newnan Police Department, United Way of East Central Alabama and Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Additionally, Southwire employees donated $4,350 to Project GIFT for this relief, which was distributed to Backpack Buddies, a 501c3 non-profit organization created to supply economically disadvantaged children in the Coweta County School System with food, and United Way of East Alabama, an organization focused on providing support for basic needs and safety net organizations in the community. 

“We are so grateful for the donation and assistance Southwire provided for our Calhoun County Tornado Relief Fund,” said Shannon Jenkins, President & CEO, United Way of East Alabama. “Our residents have been devastated with major losses from this storm, but because of gifts from individuals and organizations like Southwire, we are all reminded that there are others who care and are willing to help us on this road to recovery.”

Pictured Above (L-R): 

Ashley Bush, Director of Communications and Employee Engagement at Southwire
Shannon Jenkins, President and CEO United Way of East Alabama

Myles Chamblee, Acting Director at Calhoun County EMA

To learn more about Southwire’s commitment to Giving Back, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability.