Eight Outdoor Companies Helping with Harvey Relief
Some of the industry’s best-known brands are doing whatever they can to aid those affected by the floods
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Hurricane Harvey unleashed hell on Texas this week, but thousands of volunteers and organizations have stepped up to assist with rescues and cleanup. Among them are a number of outdoor companies that are donating gear, money, or both. Here’s just a partial list of those getting involved.
Bass Pro Shops
This company has three shops in the greater Houston area and has sent 80 tracker boats to Texas law enforcement and rescue organizations. It’s also donated $40,000 worth of non-perishable, calorie-dense foods like beef jerky to the American Red Cross and the Convoy of Hope.
Confluence Outdoor
Confluence is best known for its Dagger and Perception Kayaks. It called Texas authorities to ask what kind of water gear they needed, then sent a semi-truck with 80 kayaks, 175 life jackets, and 140 paddles. The boats are all high-stability to help with rescue efforts, and there are jackets for both adults and children.
Goal Zero
Goal Zero’s parent company, NRG/Reliant, is based in Houston, so Goal Zero came through big time by sending two semi-trucks filled with $1 million worth of power stations that will help hospitals run medical equipment and stranded residents recharge their phones. The company also sent a team of seven employees to deliver the products.
Keen
This Portland, Oregon-based company originally pledged to match up to $25,0000 in donations to All Hands Volunteers, an organization that helps with the long-term needs of disaster-impacted communities. It’s also giving away roughly 10,000 pairs of shoes and boots to volunteers and Texas Search and Rescue. When they hit the donation goal in less than 24 hours, they upped the matching amount to $50,0000.
Therm-a-Rest
Displaced residents will need bedding so Therm-a-Rest donated 1,800 closed-cell foam pads to Operation USA, an international relief organization that helps with natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
Under Armour
Athletic apparel company Under Armour has already donated $50,0000 to Team Rubicon’s relief efforts and will match all donations to Team Rubicon up to $500,000.
Yeti
On Friday, Yeti will donate 100 percent of direct sales from Yeti.com and the Yeti flagship store in Austin to relief efforts. Yeti is not putting a cap on its donations, so now’s a good time to pull the trigger on that cooler you’ve been looking at.
Sitka
Sitka, known for its high-end hunting gear, will also be donating 100 percent of its Friday profits* to relief efforts. Go big and invest in that camo Gore-Tex shell.