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Reaching out to those in need
In 2008, two natural disasters struck countries where Texas Instruments (TI) has significant operations. These epic events brought untold property damage, disrupted lives and death.
In keeping with TI's long history of community service, our leaders and employees at all levels opened their hearts and wallets to help fellow citizens and workers around the globe.
Coping with China's devastation
On May 12, 2008, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake decimated China's Sichuan province. It killed at least 69,000 people and left as many as 11 million homeless. Highways were damaged, and 80 percent of the buildings at the quake's epicenter collapsed.
TI had a small number of employees in an office within the affected area, all of whom were safe. But given our large China-based sales and support operations and the many Chinese-American employees at TI's Dallas (Texas) facilities, the earthquake was felt on a visceral level.
Within two weeks of the disaster, TIers reached into their own pockets to donate nearly $144,000 to earthquake relief efforts in a variety of ways. Some 700 individuals made contributions to the American Red Cross. Others gave money through a disaster relief fund at Texans Credit Union, a banking institution used by Dallas-based employees. A number of TI employees working in China contributed as well.
The company also gave $250,000 to the American Red Cross, boosting donations to almost $394,000.
"TIers never cease to amaze me," said Gerald Borders, former director of TI Community Affairs, who retired in early 2009. "We have been consistent over the years in reaching out to others no matter where devastation may occur."
"As a member of the China business community, our first concern was for the safety and well being of our people," said Xie Bing, president of TI operations in China. "We are very fortunate that TI was in a position to answer the call for help and assist the community."
Helping out after Hurricane Ike
Four months later, a hurricane slammed into the Texas Gulf Coast, near TI's Stafford fabrication plant. Unlike China's earthquake, officials had advance warning and evacuated some 2 million people from their coastal homes.
Nonetheless, Hurricane Ike was the third most destructive hurricane in U.S. history. The final death toll was more than 100 people, and the gale wrought an estimated $28.2 billion in property damage.
Immediately after Ike hit, many Houston residents were without power. Trees, massive limbs and garbage littered much of the area. Several TI employees and contractors were among those struggling to find water and gasoline.
In response, TI shipped 24,500 pounds of ice and 1,450 cases of water from Dallas to the Stafford plant. We also donated coolers, batteries and battery-powered fans. Gasoline, in short supply, was also distributed to local workers. The Stafford plant offered basic laundry service to those without power, and we opened our activity center to provide showers for TIers and their families. In all, we gave an estimated $90,000 through in-kind donations.
TI also gave $971,000 directly to full-time employees and contractors, who each received $500 after taxes.
The plant stayed open, unharmed by the storm. TI Chairman, President and CEO Rich Templeton praised employees' ability to juggle recovery needs at home yet still return to work.
"I can only admire the combination of creativity and resilience you've brought to the situation," he said at the time.
Meanwhile, in Dallas TI employees volunteered by serving meals to hurricane evacuees, working in warehouses, and answering phones.
The generosity of TI and our employees in 2008 worldwide underscored TI's continuing commitment to the communities where we operate globally.
The year 2005, for example, included several global crises, including the South Asian tsunami and U.S. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. TI and employee gifts to support relief efforts totaled more than $1 million. This does not include the estimated value of employee hours volunteered to organize help and provide relief to victims.
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