Burning buildingIn August 2023, Maui, Hawaii experienced devastating wildfires, primarily around the community of Lahaina, which were driven by dry conditions and hurricane-related winds. The fires claimed at least 99 lives, with numerous buildings, including historic landmarks, destroyed. Total estimated damages reached nearly $6 billion. A state of emergency and federal disaster declaration were issued to mobilize resources for recovery. The event underscored the impact of climate change on extreme weather events, emphasizing the need for proactive measures. Recovery efforts were underway to rebuild and support affected communities, leaving a lasting mark on the island.
In response to the Maui wildfires, Simpson Strong-Tie made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, aimed at immediate relief efforts. The Red Cross opened 12 emergency shelters in Maui and Oahu, deploying over 300 trained disaster relief workers to provide essential supplies, health services, and support for locating missing loved ones. To further support relief efforts, the company encouraged its employees to contribute, with the added benefit of the Matching Gift program.
Additionally, employee Tim Ellis from our office in Pleasanton, California, initiated a drive to collect pet supplies for animals affected by the wildfires. He sent over 23 pounds of items, including leashes, bowls, treats, harnesses, collars, and more, to the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation. Many animals were displaced or injured during the crisis, and Tim plans to continue assisting based on their evolving needs. He also thanks everyone who donated these much-needed supplies.
Branches across the United States participating in Do What You Can Day
Our International Branches participating in DWYCD
In 2023, our international branches made diverse contributions to their respective communities. Activities ranged from assisting local food banks to revamping a business’s landscaping — including the construction of a pergola and providing support at a vintage clothing shop.
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
This year, our Brampton team chose to give back to SickKids Hospital Cancer Facility. The Division of Haematology/Oncology is one of the largest divisions in the Department of Paediatrics at SickKids. They provide diagnostic services and specialist care for children under 18 years of age with cancer (paediatric oncology), non-malignant blood diseases (paediatric haematology), and haematopoietic stem cell (blood and marrow) transplantation. The division is the largest of its kind in Canada and among the largest in North America. The mission of the division is to achieve and maintain excellence in the areas of clinical care, education and research. Thank you, Barclay Simpson, for instilling into us the importance of recognizing a need and fulfilling it in our communities. We are proud to be able to give back. The social committee has asked for monetary donations to put towards the cancer unit. They’ve asked our employees to contribute what they can, and we will be collecting money for the cause till Christmas – that’s when the social committee will present it to them. The money is not going specifically to any one person but rather the cancer unit and they will decide where the money is best used.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
For Do What You Can Day everyone at the Pitt Meadows, branch was involved in building school supply kits for elementary school children.
Tamworth, UK
In August, a team of volunteers from our head office in Tamworth took the opportunity to spend time with colleagues from across the business while giving something back to the local community for this year’s Do What You Can Day. The sun shone while our team worked hard to enhance the gardens of Tamworth-based organization, Care First. In addition to landscaping improvements, the team built a pergola and garden furniture using decorative wood connectors and fasteners from our Design Series range.
New South Wales, Australia
Back in March, we had the opportunity to give back to our community through an amazing organization, Foodbank Australia. Operations Manager Robert Torres’ great leadership led a group of team members through their very first hands–on participation in helping the crew at Foodbank pick and dispatch nonperishables along with some heavy fresh produce. This hard work would be distributed across 350 charitable organizations across New South Wales. Many communities struggle and on the day that our team of five were volunteering, they were directly picking orders for frontline charities across New South Wales, including the following: Baptist Church 4 Life — Warners Bay; Life House Care Pantry — Woolgoola; ADRA Food Pantry — Singleton NSW; Uniting Church — Brunswick Valley; Southwest Multicultural & Community center — Minto; Holy Cross Anglican Church Tuckerbox, Hackett; and the Gungahlin Community Centre.
Victoria, Australia
In August, employees from the Victorian team in Australia eagerly gathered at Vinnies Shops, where pre-loved items find new homes and contribute to a good cause. Run by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Victoria — a nonprofit that aims to provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. The Simpson Strong-Tie team filtered through donated clothing from corporate sponsors and members of the public. The result was sorting through 15 garment racks and contributing a combined AU $8,500 in expected sales for charity.
As you can see, it was a busy but very rewarding day for our employees at branches across several continents!
